Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
AN environmental disaster has been averted in Guruve after the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) clamped down on illegal chrome miners.
A chrome mining rush, which took place in the Hangaiwa area of Guruve over the last two weeks has been brought to a halt after a task force comprising the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the police descended in the area.
EMA Mashonaland Central Spokesperson, Mr. Maxwell Muposta said the environmental damage done to the area has been stopped.
“The illegal miners were operating without any regard to the environment and samples from rivers in the area showed contamination alerting us that there were some procedural mining activities being carried out there.”
The illegal miners invaded ZIMASCO claims but raids are set to continue as there are people coming from areas like Mbire, Muzarabani and Mount Darwin to dig for chrome in the area.
Scores of truckers had also descended on the area as they were transporting the ore to neighbouring countries for onward shipment overseas.
