Shamva Explained

Official Name:Shamva
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Zimbabwe
Pushpin Map Caption:Shamva located in Zimbabwe Map
Pushpin Mapsize:200
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Zimbabwe
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Mashonaland Central
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Shamva
Population As Of:2012
Population Total:908
Timezone:CAT
Utc Offset:+2
Coordinates:-17.3167°N 64°W
Blank Name:Climate
Blank Info:Cwa

Shamva is a town in the province of Mashonaland Central in the Shamva District of Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mazowe valley about 90 km north-east of Harare. The area was called Abercorn by Rhodesian colonizers. The present name is derived from a tree which is found in abundance in this area called 'Tsamvi' in Shona. The town is most famous for the gold mine of the same name at the foot of the Shamva Mountain. Nickel is now mined in area after a large nickel deposit was discovered in the area.[1] The gold mine recently reopened after Landela Mining Ventures Ltd., a subsidiary of the Mauritius-based company Sotic International Ltd., purchased the Shamva gold mine from Metallon Corporation, with a goal of producing 400 kg of gold per month by 2023.[2] [3] However attacks, killings, and disappearances of gold miners have been ongoing in various parts of Zimbabwe since 2018, including in Shamva and nearby Mazowe.[4]

In colonial history, Shamva is noted for what was likely the first labor strike by African workers in Rhodesia in 1927.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shamva Zimbabwe Britannica . 2022-03-09 . www.britannica.com . en.
  2. Web site: Zimbabwe's new gold rush . 2022-03-09 . openDemocracy . en.
  3. Web site: Lup . Fungai . e . 2021-08-24 . Zimbabwe: Mine Targets 400kg of Gold Monthly . 2022-03-09 . allAfrica.com . en.
  4. Web site: 2020-08-21 . Small scale miners risk life and limb in Zimbabwe . 2022-03-09 . Toward Freedom . en-US.