Trymore Tagwirei
The Environmental Management Agency has urged mining companies to adhere to environmental regulations in order to prevent problems with the law which often results in tickets and suspension of operations.
Over the past few months, there have been reports of mining companies being slapped with fines and having their operations suspended for environmental demage.
In January this year, EMA suspended operations at Cambria 4 and went on to issue a ticket against the gold mine following an accidental overflow of a tailings dam. The overflow contaminated the nearby stream which feeds into Shashe River where thousands of fish died as a result.
On May 16, 2024, EMA ordered the suspension of operations at Bikita Minerals spodumene plant for violating many environmental rules, and for many other compliance violations including the pollution of Matezva Dam with dangerous chemicals, and for failing to implement procedural blasting measures.
EMA Masvingo Provincial Education and Publicity Officer Munyaradzi Mtisi said the agency was resolute in its work to ensure respect for the environment in mining operations.
“As one of the prescribed projects under the first schedule of the Environmental Management Act [20:27], operations should first be subjected to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) prior to implementation. We enforce this law across all mining activities and we constantly conduct monitoring inspections to ensure there is compliance,” said Mtisi.
He said the agency was determined to ensure that Environmental Management Plans were strictly adhered to, and were not implemented in piecemeal fashion.
Zimbabwe Diamond Minerals Allied Workers Union (ZDAMWU) Secretary General Justice Chinhema called upon authorities to get tougher with violators of environmental regulations.
“Government can do more to promote sustainable mining practices that protect the environment and enhance the socio economic well-being of rural mining communities. For greater compliance, the views and recommendations of all stakeholders should be taken on board. Besides, authorities should strengthen licensing legislation, and enhance monitoring,” said Chinhema.
