Police in Zimbabwe have arrested more than 16,000 people as the government in Harare acts against illegal mining. During the 3-week campaign, officers focussed on informal living areas around mining areas seizing gold and diamonds. The BBC's Tony Andoh-Korsah reports:

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During the raids officers, burnt temporary homes used by the panners and recovered more than five-hundred thousand kilogrammes of gold and gold ore, and nearly five thousand diamonds. Police say the suspects were all released after paying or promising to pay admission of guilt fines.

Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans have turned to mining following the collapse of commercial agriculture in the country. People dig or pan for gold or diamonds, risking their lives in shallow mines which frequently collapse.

The government accuses powerful politicians and businessmen of buying minerals from panners and smuggling them outside the country. Among those arrested were dealers from neighbouring Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique.

Tony Andoh-Korsah, BBC News

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launched
started, began

blitz
a big effort to get something done

codenamed
called by another name by certain people to keep something or the identity of someone a secret

rampant smuggling
a sudden increase in the amount of something that's being illegally taken out of a country or an area, here, gold and diamonds

collaborating with
working together with

raids
sudden, unexpected entry into places by force

panners
people who use types of pans to separate precious stones or metals from the rocks and earth they are found in

gold ore
rocks or earth which contain gold

suspects
people who are thought to have commited a crime but have not yet been proven guilty

shallow
not deep

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