Illegal mining activities in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province: A cause for concern in the Morden society

Mining background in Midlands

In the shadows of the Midlands Province 's thriving mining sector, a clandestine world of illegal mining operations has emerged, leaving a trail of environmental degradation, social unrest, and economic instability in its wake. From artisanal miners eking out a living to organized crime syndicates exploiting vulnerable communities,

The story of illegal mining is one of complexity, danger, and far-reaching consequences as reports continue to surface on the dangers and threats which continue to harm the community and the environment as a whole.

Of concern is the plight of Residents of Shurugwi who continuously raises concern over the illegal mining activities which are taking shape in their area. The call comes as residents are complaining about the ongoing mining activities which are said to have been imposing serious public health hazards to the community and environment at large.

Environmental Management Agency( EMA) Provincial spokesperson, Oswald Ndlovu said proper mining activities requires one to properly licensed so that he can conduct operations using the proper Environment Impact Assessment documents.

He added that the activities which were happening in Shurugwi required every stakeholder to be involved so that the process can be of benefit to all the relevant stakeholders withing the area of operation.

“The issue of mining in the Midlands is one of the activities which holds the economy of the Province and the nation at large. So mining is a prescribed activity which requires proper documentation and requires that an Environment Assessment Impact ( EIA) should be done to accesses whether the area is not a sensitive ecosystem.

“In some cases, we have miners who start to implement projects before an EIA is done, and this affect other stakeholders because there is need to minimize some of the challenges which might affect the environment and the community.

“There is what is called Project impact assessment where by the benefitting stakeholders, like communities they look at the benefits like employment and rather ignore other concerns. Mining is not a one stakeholder issue but requires all stakeholder including community leaders. They are the ones who should raise alarm when things go wrong” he added.

Ndlovu added that there is need for stakeholders to work collaboratively with other players so that some of these problems are solved.

Residents Concerns

A Shurugwi North, community member, Simon Chizorera ,said the illegal mining activities in Shurugwi are worrisome as some miners are negatively posing threats to residents while conducting illegal activities.

“We are tired of people who are coming with illegal papers yet they go on to have the members of the community arrested in what is called interference with mining activities yet they are illegal. They can even produce papers which are not from the original authorizing offices.

“We also have blasting being done in unregulated areas.  A lot of houses have cracked and people are suffering from TBs and Respiratory Problems due to inhaling dangerous gases and chemicals. That’s where we want EMA to come and arrest these people, they are busy vandalizing properties, homes and human health.” he said.

Mining and violence

Violent gangs are rampant in the mining communities and they are varying in size, but some of them, as pointed out by the National Peace Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) have a national presence, operating in Midlands spreading out to Matebeleland and Mashonaland.

According to information triangulated by this research, among others, four main Makorokoza gangs which feature prominently are noted as follows, Mashurugwi,  Zviketo and Magrigamba.

However, all these gangs have greatly contributed to the loss of life accounting to 40% of lives being lost through violence especially among men and young women. Meanwhile not all machete wielding gangs embarking in violence are illegal miners - some are merely political party youths” or better still mere criminal gangs.

There are indeed suggestions that prominent criminals may also be involved in mobilising gangs who terrorise innocent community members.

Meanwhile as authorities have warned over and over , a lot of illegal mining is stemming from economic desperation and lack of formal opportunities, it continues to pose serious consequences on the environmental, biodiversity, water resources, ecosystems and human life.