Chegutu District
{{about|the district|the town|Chegutu}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Chegutu District
| other_name = Hartley District
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| image_map = File:Mashonaland_West_districts.png
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| map_caption = Chegutu District (light pink) in Mashonaland West Province
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| coordinates = {{Coord|18|00|S|30|00|E|region:ZW_dim:100000}}
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Zimbabwe
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Mashonaland West
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Chegutu, originally known as Hartley, is a district of Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe. The district headquarters is located in Chegutu, a city which lies of the Harare-Bulawayo Road, (Highway A-5).
Location
The district is located in Mashonaland West Province, in central northern Zimbabwe. Chegutu District is bordered by Kadoma District to the south and west, Zvimba District to the north and to the east, lies Mazoe District in Mashonaland Central Province. Its main town, Chegutu, is located about {{convert|120|km|mi}}, by road, southwest of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe and the largest city in that country.[http://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Zimbabwe_Distance_Result.asp?fromplace=Chegutu%20()%20&toplace=Harare%20(Harare)&fromlat=-18.1333333&tolat=-17.8177778&fromlng=30.15&tolng=31.0447222 Map Showing Harare And Chegutu With Distance Marker]
Economy
Chegutu District is primarily a mining district. Large gold deposits are found in the district and the two largest gold mines there are the Butterfly Mine (originally a pre-colonial mining site) and the Giant Mine, both owned by owned by Africa Consolidated Resources (ACR).Simba, A., Nyandoro, Z. F., Munyoro, G., & Chimhande, D. (2015). [http://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11915/1/219419_PubSub1885_Simba.pdf The local economic development processes in low-income countries: The case of the metropolis of Chegutu in Zimbabwe.] Local Economy, 30(4), 405-420. Other mines include platinum mines such as the Hartley Mine opened in 1987.{{Cite web|title=Hartley Platinum Mine |publisher=ZimPlats |url=http://www.zimplats.com/operations/hartley.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210111220/http://www.zimplats.com/operations/hartley.htm |archive-date=10 December 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|title=Hartley Mine, Chegutu District, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe |publisher=Mindat |url=https://www.mindat.org/loc-61023.html }} Artisanal gold mining is also prevalent,{{Cite journal|last1=Chawatama |first1=Chrispen Tauya |last2=Oyelana |first2=Akeem Adewale |year=2019 |title=Artisanal Gold Mining in Zimbabwe: Prospects and Challenges for the Low Income Groups in the Chegutu Mining District |journal=Journal of Human Ecology |volume=68 |issue=1/3 |pages=26–41 |doi=10.31901/24566608.2019/68.1-3.3167 |url=http://krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JHE/JHE-68-0-000-19-Web/JHE-68-1-3-000-19-Abst-PDF/JHE-68-1-3-026-19-3167-Chawatama-C-T/JHE-68-1-3-026-19-3167-Chawatama-C-T-Tx[4].pdf }} often using unsafe methods, such as mercury separation.{{Cite news|last=Mupesa |first=Conrad |date=19 November 2021 |title= Illegal Use of Mercury in Mining Sector Continues |newspaper=The Herald |url=https://www.herald.co.zw/illegal-use-of-mercury-in-mining-sector-continues/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119065511/https://www.herald.co.zw/illegal-use-of-mercury-in-mining-sector-continues/ |archive-date=19 November 2021 |url-status=live }}
Population
The current population of Chegutu District is not publicly known. In 1992, the national census put the district population at 191,909 people. By 2002's national census, that population count had increased to 224,589.[http://www.geohive.com/cntry/zimbabwe.aspx Population Count of Chegutu District In 1992 & 2002] The next national population census in Zimbabwe is scheduled from 18 August 2012 through 28 August 2012.[https://archive.today/20121205062806/http://www.izimbabwe.co.zw/component/k2/item/7708-zimbabwe-population-census-to-be-held-in-august-2012.html Next Population Census In Zimbabwe Scheduled For August 2012]