Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Safety, Health and Environment Council (ZIMSHEC) has been crowned the Best Safety, Health and Environment Organisation of 2026 at the prestigious Young Miners Mining Indaba.
Held under the theme “Creating an Enabling Environment for Young Miners,” the indaba brought together emerging miners, industry leaders, and policymakers to chart a sustainable future for the sector.
During the event, ZIMSHEC played a pivotal role in a high-level panel discussion on Formalisation, Policy, and Youth Empowerment.
Representatives emphasised that embedding robust Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) standards into the formalisation process is essential for fostering safer, healthier, and more sustainable mining practices across the nation.
The highlight of the function came during the awards ceremony, where Thubaelihle Sibanda, a Safety, Health and Environment Manager at ZIMSHEC, stepped on the stage to receive the coveted accolade on behalf of the organisation.
Delivering remarks at the function, fellow ZIMSHEC official Lynnia Saidi expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to grassroots transformation.
“We dedicate this award to our partners, stakeholders, miners, and everyone who continues to support our mission,” said Saidi.
“Thank you for recognising our efforts. Together, we are making mining safer and better for all. This is not the end, but a motivation to do even more!”
Through its dedicated training centres and basic training programmes, ZIMSHEC continues to champion its core ethos transforming mining culture through education and awareness.
An official at Zimshec said currently the organisation is preparing for an intensive campaign in Matabeleland South and the Midlands to improve artisanal and small-scale miners iworkplace safety and environmental sustainability.
The council was established following a series of fatal mine collapses and flooding disasters across Zimbabwe.
It grew out of safety training initiatives led by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law and has engaged the School of Mines for periodical safety and rescue classes for members.
It is also in collaboration with some non governmental organisations to improve responsible mining.