A Chinese mining operation is facing allegations of smuggling over 120 kilograms of gold, valued at $10 million, while declaring less than 4 kilograms to authorities between 2023 and 2024. Podhill Private Limited, based in Kwekwe's Silobela gold belt, processed more than 3,000 kilograms of ore monthly, but internal records show most production bypassed official channels, according to the Herald on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025. Chinese businessman Zuo Wenzhong controls 95 percent of Podhill through Generous Resources Private Limited, and investigators say the operation used couriers and air cargo to ship gold to Dubai and China.
Private ledgers revealed more than 16,000 grams sold outside official channels between December 2023 and May 2024, and an additional 34 kilograms were diverted by year's end. Heap leaching operations generated at least $117,000 per smelt run in mid-2024, but authorities say none of the revenue was reported to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe or tax agencies. The Zimbabwe Republic Police Minerals and Border Control Unit is tracing proceeds through Generous Resources, Podhill, and Milhub, and financial records form the core of the investigation.
Private ledgers revealed more than 16,000 grams sold outside official channels between December 2023 and May 2024, and an additional 34 kilograms were diverted by year's end. Heap leaching operations generated at least $117,000 per smelt run in mid-2024, but authorities say none of the revenue was reported to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe or tax agencies. The Zimbabwe Republic Police Minerals and Border Control Unit is tracing proceeds through Generous Resources, Podhill, and Milhub, and financial records form the core of the investigation.
