Gaths Mine

Gaths Mine
Interactive map of Gaths Mine
Location
  • Mashava, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
  • 20°01′S 30°31′E / 20.017°S 30.517°E / -20.017; 30.517
ProductsAsbestos
Production0
CompanyMutumwa Mawere

Gaths Mine is an abandoned asbestos mine in Mashava, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, and is located 40 km west of Masvingo city. The mine once employed over 1,600 people but production was stopped due to operational challenges .

History

The mine site was first identified for development in 1904, with mining operations beginning in 1916 .

In 1983 mining operations were suspended due to financial challenges associated with declining global demand for asbestos . It is unclear to what extent operations were continued or reestablished after this time, as the mine is also reported to have been closed in 2004 and 2011 .

In 1996 the Gaths Mine and other mines near Mashava were sold to Zimbabwean business mogul Mutumwa Mawere under the name Shabanie and Mashaba Mines (SMM). When Mawere fled the country for South Africa in 2004, the Zimbabwean Government took control of the mine sites .

Geology

Gaths Mine is located on the Mashava Igneous Complex . White asbestos (chrysotile) seams occur within serpentinized dunite.

References

  1. ↑ Gelfand, M.* & Morton S.A.** (September 1969). "Asbestosis in Rhodesia". Central African Journal of Medicine. 15 (9). University of Zimbabwe: 206–212. hdl:10520/AJA00089176_3572. PMID 5350834.
  2. 1 2 "New lease of life for Mashava". Newsday. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Runganga, Desire (8 January 2024). "The Environmental Footprint of Abandoned Asbestos Mines in Zimbabwe, Opportunities for Repurposing and Recovery of Mg And Other Metals from Gaths Mines". Malaysian Journal of Science and Advanced Technology: 23–31. doi:10.56532/mjsat.v4i1.159. ISSN 2785-8901.
  4. ↑ Munyaradzi, Mawere (29 November 2017). The Political Economy of Poverty, Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Management: Building Bridges of Resilience, Entrepreneurshi. Langaa RPCIG. ISBN 978-9956-763-11-5.
  5. 1 2 "Report on Gaths Mine revival requirements now complete – herald". 6 September 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2026.
  6. ↑ Chaumba, J. B. (2019). Evolution of the North West Arm and the Central Sector of Mashava Igneous Complex in south central Zimbabwe from an investigation of its silicate minerals compositions. Precambrian Research, 324, 109-125.