Trymore Tagwirei
The discovery of lithium deposits in Mberengwa district heightened hopes for development among villagers but that has yet to materialize, leading to increased calls for transparency, accountability and community social responsibility in the sector.
Lithium mining in Mberengwa is largely done at Sandawana Mine which is controlled by Kuvimba Mining House.
Villagers that spoke to EnviroPress said the company promised many developmental projects but nothing has been fulfilled.
On its website, Kuvimba Mining House says their lease and claim holdings cover a 3 3382 hectare (21km) long strip along Mweza mountain range. Besides lithium, the area is said to be rich in tantalite, mica, emeralds and gold.
Kuvimba Mining House, which is owned by the government through Mutapa Investment Fund, took control of the area following a lithium rush which become more pronounced towards late 2022.
Mberengwa Ward 29 Councillor Collen Mhloro told EnviroPress that the general sentiment by community members was that an important mineral resource being extracted in their area with no meaningful benefit accruing to them.
“The people feel betrayed and rightly so. Initially, many promises were made that there would be transformation for the benefit of our families and the community in general but this is not happening,” said Mhloro.
He said since the lithium deposits were discovered by locals who were later displaced by the government, it would be fair if the company catered for at least the locals’ basic expectations.
“People were asked to pay US$5 for job seekers’ cards but the jobs only lasted three months. Much of the grazing land has been lost to the mine, and some water sources are now contaminated,” Mhloro said.
He said politically-connected and chiefs were deriving the most benefits from lithium mining operations at Sandawana.
Ward 30 Councillor Pardon Zhou complained that Kuvimba Mining House had not implemented any Cooperate Social Responsibility projects in the area.
“We are among the least developed districts in the country yet we have mineral resources. Kuvimba is mining at Sandawana and at Gobera without ploughing back into the community even for a single day,” said Zhou.
Kuvimba Mining House Public Relations Officer Cornell Ncube refused to comment and referred questions to his superiors that were not reachable.
“I am the Public Relations Officer for the company but I cannot answer your questions. I will give you the numbers of the people who can answer your questions,” he said.
Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) General Secretary Justice Chinhema called upon Kuvimba Mining House to cultivate a culture of cohesion with locals.
“Mining activities should involve local communities as stakeholders. Their voices should inform decision-making processes, and they must be made to feel that mining operations benefits them too.
A history of marginalization
Sandawana Mine is surrounded many villages including Kefasi, Maroyi, Mapholisa 1, Mapholisa 2, Mhazo, Mapande, Tizirai, Bhengu, Samba and Chengechuru. Records show that Sandawana Mine was officially opened in 1955, and it produced high quality emeralds but locals say the district and its people did not really benefit from the emeralds.
