Indigenous gold producer ConneHouse Mining (Pvt) Ltd on Friday officially launched a major expansion project at Connemara in the Midlands Province, marking a significant new phase in the revival of the historic gold mine.
The expansion was inaugurated during a groundbreaking and tree-planting ceremony held adjacent to Connemara Open Prison along the Gweru–Kwekwe highway, presided over by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Dr. Eng. Polite Kambamura.
Senior government and correctional officials attending the launch included the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for the Midlands Province, Hon. Owen Ncube; Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Fred Moyo; Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Adv. Mazongonye; and the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS), Dr. Moses Chihobvu.
ConneHouse Mining took over the Connemara Gold Mine—located roughly 30 kilometres outside Kwekwe—after previous operators First Quantum and Chase Minerals abandoned the site in 2014. Having initially focused on processing existing mine dumps, the company is now advancing into full-scale extraction and expanded production operations.
Delivering his welcome remarks at the event, Minister Ncube said ConneHouse Mining’s investment aligns with the government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) and Vision 2030 goals, driving rural industrialization and local economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to ensuring that local mineral resources benefit surrounding communities through job creation, infrastructure development, and business opportunities for local suppliers,” Ncube said, noting that the project reflects growing investor confidence in the Midlands Province.
The attendance of senior Justice Ministry and ZPCS leadership highlighted the cross-governmental coordination surrounding ConneHouse Mining’s operations, given the mine’s proximity to state correctional facilities.
As part of the launch, company executives and visiting dignitaries also participated in a tree-planting exercise aimed at promoting environmental stewardship, land reclamation, and responsible mining practices across the sector. 
