MASVINGO — Some diamond mining companies in the vast Chiadzwa diamond fields near Mutare are discharging dangerous effluent in nearby rivers, posing a risk to villagers and their livestock, a Cabinet minister has said.
Report by Tatenda Chitagu
Water Resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told journalists in Masvingo at the weekend that even though some of the miners had been charged, the fines were too insignificant.
“Some diamond mining companies in Chiadzwa are responsible for polluting nearby rivers.
“As we speak, Save is most affected by siltation as well,” said Nkomo, who was attending a meeting with dam catchments and sub-catchments councils.
He, however, did not name the mining companies involved in the alleged practice.
Nkomo said his ministry had engaged the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to take the mining companies to task.
“We cannot fine them or arrest them because we do not have the powers, but we are engaging EMA and the Ministry of Environment because some of the mines discharge cynide which is dangerous,” he said.
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He said his ministry was constantly checking the water quality from the affected rivers to make sure that the water was not dangerous to animals.
“We are regularly checking the water quality from the water bodies affected,” he said.
“We make sure that the water that comes out of the rivers and dams is safe.
“No water passes through us without quality control measures instituted.
“We are also doing reconnaissance and awareness campaigns.”
