Rutendo Chirume

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organization (ZELO) has introduced a new community monitoring and engagement initiative in Bikita District, targeting areas affected by mining operations under Bikita Minerals.

The project was officially launched during an inception meeting on May 14 at Makotore Business Center, attended by local community members, village heads, and councilors from Wards 11, 12, 16, and 32.

This initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ZELO and the Bikita Rural District Council (BRDC), establishing a partnership to implement the project and ensure its sustainability through local ownership.

According to ZELO, the project will train and support community monitors to document environmental and social impacts caused by mining activities.

Speaking at the event, ZELO project officer Fadzai Midzi emphasized the importance of empowering communities to actively participate in decisions affecting their environment and livelihoods.

“This project is not just about monitoring; it’s about building lasting structures for dialogue, transparency, and justice. We aim to establish regular engagement forums where mining companies, community representatives, and government departments can exchange information, address grievances, and promote accountability.

“These forums will complement the work of community monitors, who will serve as the eyes and ears of their communities,” said Midzi.

Participants at the meeting raised concerns about the lack of consistent platforms to voice and resolve community issues.

Many highlighted unresolved problems such as water shortages, dust pollution, and land disputes, attributing them to poor communication between the community and Bikita Minerals.

Ward 11 Councilor Lawrence Vhovha expressed optimism about the project’s potential to improve relations between the mine and the community.

“There is no known Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) guiding Bikita Minerals’ operations. Many issues remain unclear, and negative social impacts persist.

“We haven’t been able to access the EIA, as we’ve been told it’s not a public document. We hope this project will bring transparency and address our long-standing grievances, which have been ignored since the Chinese takeover,” said Vhovha.

With over two decades of experience in Zimbabwe’s mining sector—formerly as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA)—ZELO aims through this project to strengthen community participation in mining-related decisions, enhance grassroots monitoring systems, and formalize dialogue between communities and mining companies.