<p>Artisanal mining is common in many developing and underdeveloped countries and is a major source of livelihood for communities in mining areas. This activity is also a major cause of environmental deterioration in many parts of Africa, Asia and South America. Over the years, Penhalonga, a small town in Zimbabwe has seen the rise of artisanal miners, mostly practicing alluvial panning. The artisanal mining activities in Penhalonga have resulted in environmental problems such as land degradation and pollution. This study aims to investigate how artisanal mining has impacted the land cover changes in Penhalonga, particularly, how vegetation and water have been impacted. This was achieved by using the XGBRFClassifier to analyze Landsat images (representing a 30-year period) of the study area on Google Earth Engine. This study revealed that Penhalonga is predominantly covered by vegetation but has been negatively impacted as artisanal mining consistently expanded. Between 1993 and 2003, 116 hectares (16.5%) of Vegetation were converted to Artisanal Mines, between 2003 and 2013, 78 hectares (11.8%) of Vegetation were converted to Artisanal Mines and 117 hectares (18%) of Vegetation were converted to Artisanal Mines between 2013 and 2023. These changes pose a serious threat to the Penhalonga community, which relies on agriculture and forestry, both of which have suffered due to expanding mining activities. A review of Zimbabwe’s mining policies revealed a lack of specific guidelines for artisanal mining, presenting a major challenge to sustainability. This study offers recommendations for promoting sustainable artisanal mining practices to mitigate environmental degradation while supporting local livelihoods.</p>