By Savious Madanhire
In a bold move to address the devastating environmental impacts of alluvial mining, the Zimbabwean government has announced an immediate ban on the practice.
The decision revealed by Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr. Jenfan Muswere, aims to halt the severe water pollution, siltation and river channel degradation caused by large-scale mechanical alluvial mining.
“Cabinet had noted that ever since its commencement in 2011 across the country’s rural provinces, large-scale and mechanical alluvial mining or riverbed mining has resulted in water pollution, siltation and degradation of river channels and disruption of riverine ecosystems.”
The ban comes after years of environmental degradation and water shortages exacerbated by illegal gold mining activities around the country’s supply dams.
The panners who have gone further to invade other historical scenic sites such as Boterekwa Escarpment in Shurugwi, the Midlands Province have not been spared, this time by mechanized gold miners.
Meanwhile, Muswere also announced that the government has moved to the second cycle of the food distribution programme.
“The nation is informed that out of the targeted 6 140 924 beneficiaries, 5 479 704, 51 received food assistance in the first three months, being May to July 2024 food distribution blitz and this translated to 89,2% remaining 10,8% who have not received the food assistance.”
Since 2011, the southern African country has allowed large scale and mechanical alluvial mining which has resulted in water pollution, siltation and degradation of river channels, Information Minister Jenfan Muswere said at the Cabinet briefing.
In 2020, authorities had issued a similar ban, but it was never fully enforced.
Over 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold is produced by small-scale miners, many of whom source the yellow metal through riverbed mining.
In January through July this year, the country produced 17 279.4 kg, up from 16 855.4 kg a year earlier, according to official data.
