The Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF) is one of Zimbabwe’s longest-standing social security pillars, established in 1952. For any business operating in the mining sector, understanding the legalities surrounding the MIPF is not just a matter of human resources—it is a critical compliance requirement.
Is Registration Mandatory?
Yes. Under Zimbabwean law, registration with the MIPF is strictly mandatory for any employer whose operations are classified as mining, incidental to mining, or providing specific services to the mining industry.
This requirement is rooted in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe and the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ). This agreement is codified through Statutory Instrument 14 of 2016 (and subsequent amendments), making it a statutory obligation rather than a voluntary choice.
Note: If you operate a mine or provide essential mining services, subscribing to the Fund is a mandatory “condition of service” for all your employees under the age of 60.
Who is Liable to Pay?
The liability to contribute to the MIPF is shared between the employer and the employee.
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Employers: Every mining business is responsible for deducting the employee’s portion from their salary and remitting both the employee’s and the employer’s contributions to the Fund.
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Employees: All employees working in the mining industry who are below the retirement age of 60 are required to contribute.
Contribution Rates
The current standard contribution rates, as set by the National Employment Council (NEC) for the Mining Industry, are as follows:
| Contributor | Minimum Rate (% of Basic Salary) | Maximum Rate (Including Voluntary) |
| Employee | 7.5% | 15% |
| Employer | 7.5% | No limit on voluntary top-ups |
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Standard Rate: Both the employer and employee contribute a minimum of 7.5% of the employee’s monthly basic salary.
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Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC): Employees can choose to contribute more (up to a total of 15%) to boost their retirement savings. Employers may also choose to contribute more than 7.5%, though they are not legally required to match an employee’s voluntary extra contribution.
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Arrears: It is vital to remit these payments by the 14th of the following month. Failure to do so attracts heavy interest penalties (currently reviewed periodically in line with market lending rates).
Requirements for Registration
To register your mining business with the MIPF, you typically need to provide the following documentation to the Fund’s offices (located in Harare or Bulawayo):
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Company Documents: Certificate of Incorporation and CR14 (now CR6) showing company directors.
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Mining Title/License: Proof of mining rights (e.g., a mining claim or special grant) issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
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Employee Schedule: A comprehensive list of all employees, including their:
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Full names and National ID numbers.
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Dates of birth and dates of engagement.
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Current basic salaries.
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NEC Registration: Proof of registration with the National Employment Council for the Mining Industry.
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Completed MIPF Forms: Specific employer and employee registration forms provided by the Fund.
Why Compliance Matters
Beyond avoiding legal penalties and interest on arrears, compliance ensures that employees are covered for retirement, ill-health/disability retirement, and death benefits for their dependents. For the employer, it builds a stable workforce and fulfills the “Social License to Operate” that is increasingly scrutinized in the modern mining landscape.
