Environmental Reporter
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in Zimbabwe is taking significant steps to enforce the government’s ban on alluvial mining in rivers.
This initiative involves collaboration with the military and Zimbabwe Republic Police to combat environmental degradation caused by these mining activities. The ban was initially implemented in August 2024 due to the detrimental effects of alluvial mining on water quality, river channels, and ecosystems.
Background and Concerns
At the recent Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba, concerns were raised regarding the lack of enforcement of the ban. Cities like Bulawayo have experienced severe impacts on their water sources due to alluvial mining practices.
EMA’s Manager of Environmental Impact Assessments and Ecosystem Protection, Fanuel Kudakwashe Mangisi, highlighted the long history of alluvial mining in Zimbabwe, noting that it has caused widespread environmental damage since its mechanization began around 2012-2013.
“The history of our country, we have had episodes of alluvial mining that date back to 2011 and alluvial mining is an economic activity that has been happening in almost eight of our rural provinces. Well back, it used to be on small scales until mechanized alluvial mining took place around 2012-2013, because of the nature of mining activities that are taking place of cause we have environmental problems that are associated with alluvial mining, issues to do with general land degradation as well as water pollution,” he said.
Mangisi pointed out that miners often process their ores improperly, leading to the discharge of contaminated water into the environment.
“There is also reports that there is also use of mercury to process the gold so this end up affecting our river systems down stream. In other instances there is even diversion of water Corses, they are some of the challenges that we have been facing as a result of alluvial mining, so like I have said, we have heard instances where alluvial mining was banned because of environmental challenges that I have talked about.”
Additionally, the use of mercury in gold processing has further polluted river systems, exacerbating the environmental challenges associated with alluvial mining.
Historical Context of Mining Regulations
The government has attempted to regulate alluvial mining multiple times over the years. In 2014, a ban was enacted under SI 92 of 2014, but it was lifted in 2018 under certain conditions, which were not effectively enforced. A subsequent ban was reinstated in 2021 under SI 104 of 2021, requiring written authorization for any alluvial mining activities. However, even pilot projects conducted under this regulation faced similar environmental issues.
Current Enforcement Measures
Following the cabinet’s decision in August to ban alluvial mining, EMA is actively enforcing this ban across all eight Provinces of Zimbabwe. The enforcement efforts are coordinated by the police, with military support to ensure compliance. The goal is to allow river systems to regenerate and self-purify, addressing the significant environmental degradation caused by previous mining activities.
Mangisi emphasized the importance of this enforcement, stating that it is crucial for the health of the country’s ecosystems and water resources. The collaborative approach aims to effectively remove illegal mining operations from river systems and restore environmental integrity.
“The enforcement is being done with the assistance of different stakeholders, Ministry of Mines, police, army, to ensure that we remove those who are doing alluvial mining in the river systems.”
“The idea behind that is to ensure that we allow the rivers to regenerate and to also ensure there is self purification, so as we speak right now, alluvial mining is banned and EMA is part of the Inter-ministerial and stakeholders who are implementing the cabinet ban on alluvial mining,” Mangisi concluded.
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