Tymore Tagwirei

Empress Mine has been praised as a leading example of responsible mining in Masvingo after a media tour revealed significant progress in land rehabilitation and environmental management.

The tour, organised by the mine and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), showcased backfilling of old pits, re-vegetation programmes and the construction of a modern tailings storage facility designed to minimise contamination risks.

Masvingo Provincial Environmental Manager, Milton Muusha, said mining remains vital to Zimbabwe’s development, but warned that poor practices continue to cause land degradation and pollution across the province.

“Mining is a cornerstone of our economy, but without proper oversight it can leave long-term environmental scars.

“Empress Mine is demonstrating what responsible mining should look like,” said Muusha.

Muusha described the mine as a “centre of excellence” but lamented the widespread problem of abandoned, unrehabilitated mines in Masvingo, which he said continue to drain government resources.

The new tailings storage facility drew particular praise for its safeguards against water pollution. Muusha stressed that protecting surface and groundwater must remain a top priority as mining expands.

Empress Mine occupies about 160 hectares, half of which has been mined. Forty-three hectares have already been rehabilitated through backfilling and assisted re-vegetation, with the company committing to planting trees on all restored sites.

Mine Director Zhang Jiu Long said the operation aims to leave no environmental damage behind.

“We are rehabilitating all mined-out areas, and we will plant trees to restore the land,” he said.

Mine manager Richman Zvabvirepi said Empress Mine began major rehabilitation works in 2021 and now processes 1 000 tonnes of gold ore per day, making strict environmental controls essential.

“We are committed to ensuring economic development does not come at the expense of the environment. We do not want to leave environmental harm to communities, flora or fauna,” said Zvabvirepi.