Turnaround and Human Capital Strategies during and Post-COVID-19 Eras: Challenges and Implications for People Managers in the Zimbabwean Gold Mining Sector

The purpose of this study is to assess how COVID-19 impacted the Zimbabwean gold mineral sector and the Human Capital Management (HCM) strategies deployed to mitigate the negative consequences. The COVID-19 scourge created an intricate and challenging environment for human capital management professionals, and a crisis is imminent in the mining sector unless survival strategies are formulated by management. An exploratory research design was therefore employed. This study also hinged on the qualitative research approach. The study was guided by the principle of saturation. Saturation was reached by 20 participants. The research used a purposive sampling technique. We found that employee motivation, talent management, health and safety, and employee engagement are essential for propelling mining firms to prosperity during pandemics. The study recommends that managers develop and implement a policy focused on employee health and safety. Furthermore, employee engagement should be promoted, as it can lead to valuable business outcomes. Additionally, organizations should train their employees to develop modern skills, which are vital in today’s dynamic world. Finally, people managers should consistently provide clarity of expectations, adjust difficulty levels, and offer opportunities for recognition to motivate employees. The country stands to benefit from the diverse and rich mineral resource base if employees are well motivated as this engenders employee commitment. Keywords: COVID-19, Strategy, Employee performance, Zimbabwean gold mineral sector and employee motivation.