Gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (Fidelity) reached 31.17 tonnes during the first eight months of 2026, driven primarily by strong output from small-scale miners.

According to official figures from Fidelity through August 2026, small-scale producers delivered 22.38 tonnes, while primary large-scale producers delivered 8.78 tonnes.

Driven by strong global prices and continued capital injection into operations, total gold output for 2026 is expected to hit 55.6 tonnes, surpassing the original 50-tonne target.

The sector remains Zimbabwe’s single largest foreign currency earner, contributing more than 60% of total mining export revenues.

Artisanal and small-scale miners continue to account for the lion’s share of deliveries, regularly supplying up to three-quarters of all formal gold sold to the state-backed refinery.

This record-setting momentum builds directly on last year’s historical high of 46.73 tonnes, up from 36.48 tonnes in 2024.

Production has been further boosted by record-high international spot prices driven by global safe-haven demand, alongside spot-linked US dollar payouts and streamlined royalty frameworks that have successfully incentivised producers to channel their bullion into formal government clearing.