Goldwaschen während der Wirtschaftskrise in Simbabwe 2004-2005

The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of gold panning as a livelihood strategy for the Kitsiyatota community in the city of Bindura, Zimbabwe. A representative sample of 100 respondents was selected from the 238 community members of Kitsiyatota. Additionally, 10 interviews and 2 focus group discussions were conducted. Field observations and measurements were also employed to investigate health and safety issues. The research findings suggest that women and children play a significant role in gold panning, with their income matching that of men. The study revealed that gold panning, under the conditions of hyperinflation in Zimbabwe, is a successful strategy for securing livelihoods. Since gold panning is illegal in Kitsiyatota, Freda Rebecca, Ashanti Gold Field, and local authorities, as well as government agencies, have done little to provide gold panners with sustainable alternative livelihood strategies.