Of outcrops and narrow seams: Geology, tribute agreements, and co-operative chromite mining along Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke, 1985-2022

Abstract This article argues that the development of co-operative chromite mining in post-colonial Zimbabwe was largely shaped by geological factors, particularly the geotechnical challenges of extracting the narrow (thin) and frequently faulted chromite seams in the northern section of the Great Dyke geological formation. It examines co-operative miners’ geological knowledge and mining skills, and the roles of government departments, the Institute of Mining Research (IMR) at the University of Zimbabwe, and chromite mining companies in supporting miners in developing their mining operations and tackling geotechnical challenges. The article draws on oral interviews, contemporary newspaper reports, annual reports from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), the Secretary for Mines, and research reports produced by the IMR. Keywords: chromite, co-operative mining, geology, Great Dyke, narrow seams,