Story by Theophilus Chuma
Rampant land degradation due to illegal mining activities have been red flagged in mining areas with revelations some artisanal miners have invaded a water body in Mberengwa.
Various environmental leaders and advocates recently converged in Harare to find solutions to a trail of land degradation caused by illegal miners that has seriously exposed communities.
Revelations indicate that several livestock have drowned in the deep gullies that have become characteristic of mining areas such as Mberengwa in Midlands Province.
“There are serious issues where mining is being done in water bodies such as dams,” said Action Aid Zimbabwe projects manager, Mr Darlington Chidharara.
The chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Remigious Matangira says these issues highlight a challenge that needs urgent redress as the country seeks to sustainably run mining operations.
“This is an area that we are looking at and our position remains firm that mining should be done in a sustainable manner that does not lead to environmental hazards or expose communities.”
Focus on sustainable environmental practices in the mining sector is being enhanced through a collaborative initiative spearheaded by Action Aid Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Mining Safety Health and Environmental Council which will be rolled out in Goromonzi, Mberengwa and Bikita.
