By Nigel Pfunde
BINDURA — FREDA Rebecca Gold Mine, operating under Mutapa Gold Resources, has made history by becoming the first gold mining operation in Zimbabwe to achieve the internationally recognised ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for its analytical laboratory.
The landmark accreditation was officially awarded by the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) chief executive Dr Eve Gahadzikwa at a ceremony held in Bindura on Tuesday.
The achievement follows a rigorous seven-year quality management journey that commenced in 2019, officially certifying the laboratory’s technical competence to produce accurate, highly reliable and internationally accepted test results.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Mutapa Gold Resources Chief Executive Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, highlighted that the breakthrough aligns with the nation’s drive toward global mining excellence and operational discipline.
“This is not merely a ceremonial milestone. It is a defining moment in our journey, not just as Freda Rebecca but as Mutapa Gold Resources and as a business that is deliberately positioning itself for technical excellence, operational discipline.
He emphasized that high-precision laboratory testing forms the backbone of modern, efficient mining operations.
“For a gold mining operation like ours, assay results are not just numbers on a report. They inform exploration decisions, guide resource evaluation, influence grade control, support mine planning, metallurgical accounting and validate bullion analysis,” he explained, adding that, “Accuracy is not optional, precision is not a luxury. Reliability is central to the way we mine, process, account for and sell gold.”
The CEO noted that the milestone was underpinned by continuous capital investment in equipment, systems, and human capital development.
“This accreditation is not only a laboratory achievement, it is a Mutapa Gold Resources achievement. We are not building ordinary mining operations; we are building disciplined, data-driven and internationally credible operations that can compete beyond our borders,” Maseva-Shayawabaya added.
Gracing the occasion, SADCAS Chief Executive Dr Eve Gadzikwa, commended the mining giant for its resilience and commitment to international standards.
“Achieving accreditation is no small feat. It is indeed a rigorous and demanding journey. Your success deserves recognition because it reflects commitment, competence and dedication,” Dr. Gadzikwa said.
Outlining the mandate of SADCAS in safeguarding technical integrity across the region, Dr Gadzikwa said: “SADCAS’ job is to oversee the work that is being done by conformity assessment bodies. This is why you can trust the work, because we are coming to oversee that the work is being done according to international standards.”
She further clarified the distinction between national standards certification and international accreditation: “The Standards Association of Zimbabwe is your national standards body. They offer certification. They do not accredit. When it comes to accreditation standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, SADCAS is responsible for granting accreditation.”
Reflecting on the persistence required to attain the milestone, Dr. Gadzikwa noted: “This is especially significant given that it is coming after seven years of pursuing the accreditation journey. We have heard the challenges that were faced, including changes of hands, but we are here today to celebrate this achievement.”
She added that ISO compliance holds broader economic benefits for Zimbabwe’s trade position: “Accreditation facilitates market access. Products that pass accredited conformity assessments can enter markets that require compliance with specific standards. It builds trust, improves quality and strengthens.”
Providing technical perspective, consultant Dr. Wedzerai Makaya, who assisted Mutapa Gold throughout the accreditation process, stressed that maintaining the gold standard remains an ongoing imperative.
“The process does not end on accreditation. This is now the journey to maintain it,” Dr. Makaya stated. “SADCAS will be coming every year to assess the maintenance of the accreditation, and after every four years there will be a reassessment to ensure that the laboratory continues to meet the required standards.”
Government also welcomed the development, noting its alignment with national industrial growth and quality infrastructure frameworks. Ministry of Industry and Commerce Accreditation Focal Person, Mr Eldine Mavhunga, stated that technical accreditation enhances total economic efficiency.
“ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation demonstrates that a laboratory has the technical competence to produce accurate, reliable and internationally accepted results,” Mr. Mavhunga said. “Accreditation strengthens trust in locally generated results and supports competitiveness, transparency and compliance with international standards.”
The accreditation firmly cements Freda Rebecca Gold Mine Laboratory among top-tier global testing institutions, advancing Mutapa Gold Resources’ vision of propelling Zimbabwe’s gold sector toward world-class standardisation, transparency, and sustainable growth.
