×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Zvishavane open pits death traps: Muchinguri

News
ENVIRONMENT, Water and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri has expressed concern over the risk posed to communities by unreclaimed mining pits which have claimed seven lives in the Mapanzure area in Zvishavane.

ENVIRONMENT, Water and Climate minister Oppah Muchinguri has expressed concern over the risk posed to communities by unreclaimed mining pits which have claimed seven lives in the Mapanzure area in Zvishavane.

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

Addressing a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Lower Gweru, Muchinguri said there was need for the government to step up law enforcement in the Midlands province to prevent the loss of human lives as a result of illegal mining practices.

“We have well-documented records of people dying in the pits especially in Mapanzure area in Zvishavane where seven deaths have been recorded from the open pits left by miners,” she said.

“There is also an unestablished number of cattle deaths witnessed in Mhondongori area in Zvishavane.”

Muchinguri also said the proliferation of illegal mining activities in the province has led to massive land degradation.

She said more than 600 hectares in the province has been destroyed as a result of illegal mining activities.

“For gold mining the most problematic areas includes but is not limited to Globe and Phoenix and Silobela area in Kwekwe, York area and C Mine in Mberengwa and Wanderer area in Shurugwi,”she said.

“A total area of about 624,9 hectares has been degraded due to the illegal activities from approximately 1 410 people participating in these activities.”

Muchinguri said all miners should embrace continuous rehabilitation where they carry out mining activities.