FIDELITY PRINTERS AND REFINERS

At inception in 1966, Fidelity Printers’ business was largely to print secure banknotes. This operation was done in total secrecy in the basement of the old Reserve Bank Building at number 79 Samora Machel Avenue with the assistance of international technical partners. The department was able to produce quality, secure banknotes, catapulting it into one of the top notable high security banknote print houses in the world.

In 1978, the Central Bank’s Board took a decision to convert its printing operations into a wholly owned subsidiary company. Fidelity Printers (Pvt) Ltd, was then incorporated under the Companies Act on the 18th of December 1978. Following the incorporation of the company in 1978, operations were relocated to No.1 George Drive in Msasa where its head office and majority of operations are located to this day.

The new spacious and secure complex, modelled around leading security printers in Europe, was officially opened by the then Prime Minister, His Excellency Honourable R.G. Mugabe, on the 11th of February 1982.

In 1987, a decision was made to enhance the company’s strategic role through the establishment of a gold refinery. The Board of Fidelity Printers (Pvt) Ltd then approved establishment of a gold refinery and the company changed its name to Fidelity Printers and Refiners (Pvt) Ltd in December of that year.

With an annual gold refining capacity of 50 tonnes and embedded capacity of analysing to a purity level of up to 99.999, commercial operations commenced in April 1988. Following the opening of the high-tech refinery at No. 1 George Drive, in October 1989, the company was accredited to the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) an exclusive club for the best minds, skills, referees and markets for gold and silver. The refinery is manned by highly experienced personnel with extensive skills in mining, valuation, assaying, smelting, refining, buying and selling. Accreditation was lost in June 2008 due to below capacity (3 tonnes) refined production.

In 2001 a world class coin minting plant was established in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city. The mint is the most modern in Africa and has a distinctive edge in quality and variety of coin striking capabilities which includes creation of bimetal coins and tokens, as well as medallions of varying numismatic value. Currently, the facility is under care and maintenance.