From Gold Discovery to Community Leadership: Mundia Simusa’s Journey in Zambia’s ASGM Sector

In the quiet stretches of Mumbwa District, Central Province, where gold lies beneath the soil of ordinary homes, 43-year-old Mundia Liyato Simusa's journey into mining began in her own backyard.

What started as a simple discovery of gold deposits quickly transformed her life.

Today Mundia is not just a miner but also an ASGM champion, a women leader, a mother of three, and a driving force behind safer and more formalized artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in her community.

Three years ago, Mundia entered an industry predominantly dominated by men. Like many others, she started at the bottom, pounding ore by hand. Over time, determination, and a clear vision, she progressed to using wet pans, gradually enhancing her skills. As her understanding of gold's value deepened, so did her commitment.

"The value of the ore made me take mining seriously," she recalls.

Her journey has been challenging. Gender discrimination, fluctuating gold prices, and the constant struggle to balance work and family have tested her resilience, but she refused to be discouraged.

Instead, she pushed forward.

Through discipline and reinvestment, Mundia raised enough capital to transform her operations. She purchased a grinder, drilled a borehole, and secured her ownpiece of land where she now operates a gold processing site, charging fellow miners K100 ($5.31) per bag. This step not only improved her income but also established her as a service provider within the local mining ecosystem.

However, her impact extends far beyond her personal success.

Mundia currently serves as a coordinator for the Artisanal Gold Council (AGC) through the planetGOLD Zambia Project, collaborating closely with cooperatives across Mumbwa District. She is also the Vice Chairperson of the Community Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Miners (CASGM) and a member of the District Gold Processing Association. In these roles, she is helping to shape a more structured, inclusive, and responsible mining sector.

Her leadership was partly driven by the chaos she witnessed during gold rushes, where unregulated mining created uncertainty and insecurity.

"[That uncertainty] is what pushed me to advocate for formalization," she explains. "We needed to secure our working areas and bring order to the sector."

A significant turning point in her journey came with exposure to safer mining practices.

Previously, like many artisanal miners, Mundia used mercury in gold processing, unaware of its devastating effects. She recalls a painful moment when animals died after drinking water contaminated with mercury.

"Seeing those animals die after drinking contaminated water was the moment I truly understood the danger of mercury," she says.

Through the planetGOLD Zambia Project, she received training on mercury-free technologies and formal mining practices. AGC’s guidance not only improved her operations but also reduced the risks that once defined her work, giving her the confidence to advocate for safer mining among her peers.

"AGC through the project removed many of the risks we faced, especially around licensing and unsafe processing methods," she says.

Today, Mundia has become a respected ASGM champion, advocating for safer and more responsible mining practices and urging others to abandon harmful methods.

Mining has dramatically changed her life, enhancing her income, broadening her opportunities, and solidifying her position within the community. While she recognizes that financial growth is still evolving, she emphasizes the importance of the knowledge and connections she has gained throughout her journey.

"I have been empowered, not just financially, but through knowledge and networks," she states.

Looking ahead, her goals are clear. She aspires to obtain an exploration license and establish a fully operational processing plant that can create jobs for many in her community.

Mundia believes that more support is needed for miners, particularly in streamlining the process of obtaining mining licenses and educating traditional leaders about ASGM.

"There are times when mining activities are halted for reasons we don't understand," she explains. "We need better awareness, especially among leaders and chiefs."

For Mundia, mining is not merely a source of income; it is a lifelong commitment that supports families and communities.

Through out her journey, she remains a staunch advocate for women.

"What a man can do, a woman can do better," she confidently asserts.

She encourages women to take initiative, not only in mining but across all sectors of the economy.

"Women need to empower themselves. We are supportive, we are considerate, and we can succeed in many areas, not just mining."

From a humble backyard discovery to becoming a respected leader in Mumbwa's mining sector, Mundia Simusa's story embodies resilience, growth, and purpose.

It serves as a reminder that the most powerful transformations often begin at home.

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