ECONOMIC MINERALS GOLD Gold mining and exploration in Zimbabwe has been going on from ancient times and it is estimated that a third (about 700 tonnes) of all historical gold production was mined locally from the seventh century until the introduction of mechanized mining methods with the arrival of Europeans about a century ago. Feb 14, 2008 Zimbabwe is perhaps the only country whose colonisation by Europeans was a direct result of its perceived rich and wide variety of gold deposits. The Portuguese occupied parts of the country in the 17th century and traded in gold with local miners. Following the accounts of the Portuguese, and information gathered by 19th century explorers and hunters, a lot of interest on Zimbabwes gold ... Jun 22, 2020 Other gold deposits occur in the Limpopo Mobile Belt in the south of the country and in the Proterozoic Piriwiri rocks in the North-Western part of the country, outside the Zimbabwe creation. GET MAP HERE. (7212x6390pix) (1908x1690mm) Scale 11 000 000. Drawn in the Geological Survey Office Harare. Author Bartholomew, D.S.