ONCE celebrated as one of the country’s most breathtaking natural landmarks, the Christmas Pass Mountain has long been a symbol of scenic splendour and ecological richness.
Its lush green forests, rolling hills and panoramic vistas attracted countless tourists, nature enthusiasts and local communities who cherished its pristine beauty.
However, recently, this once-illustrious natural resource has undergone a dramatic transformation—one marked by environmental degradation.
Historically, Christmas Pass Mountain stood as a testament to the country’s rich biodiversity and captivating landscape.
Its verdant forests provided habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, supporting local livelihoods through eco-tourism and conservation efforts.
The mountain’s scenic allure not only bolstered regional pride, but also contributed significantly to national tourism revenue.
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Unfortunately, the idyllic scenery has been marred by relentless illegal gold mining activities that have taken root over the past months.
Beneath the facade of this sordid environmental and illegal mining lies a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the environmental and public health sectors.
Investigations indicate that very senior and highly placed military officials are actively involved in the mining of the Christmas Pass Mountain, protecting and partnering for Toronto Mine, a foreign-owned mining company engaged in illegal gold extraction.
A retired colonel (name withheld), who was stationed at the 3 Brigade army headquarters, now Hebert Chitepo Barracks, is overseeing the operations.
Despite explicit directives from government authorities and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to cease operations at the Toronto Mine site, the illegal activities have continued unabated, raising serious concerns about potential political corruption.
The mining process has led to significant environmental destruction along the mountain slopes, causing irreversible damage to delicate ecosystems, with visible scars on once pristine landscapes.
Environmental assessments suggest that the ongoing extraction has already resulted in increased sediment runoff into nearby water sources posing a dire threat to communities downstream, where residents rely heavily on these waters for drinking, agriculture, and sanitation.
Scientists warn that continued pollution could lead to long-term health issues, including waterborne diseases and chemical poisoning from heavy metals like mercury and arsenic commonly associated with artisanal gold mining.
The destabilisation of soil caused by relentless excavation heightens the risk of mudslides—an imminent danger during the rainy season.
Geologists warn that without immediate intervention, there is a real possibility of catastrophic landslides affecting villages situated below Christmas Pass Mountain.
Such disasters would not only cause loss of life, but also displace entire communities and disrupt local economies.
Despite clear directives from national authorities demanding an immediate halt to all mining operations at the mine, sources indicate that operations have persisted with impunity.
Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution minister Misheck Mugadza directed that all illegal mining operations to cease, citing safety concerns and potential environmental impact.
“We have directed that all illegal gold mining operations in that area must cease immediately,” he said.
“We cannot tolerate such unregulated gold mining in the area due to obvious safety concerns for local residents and the potential environmental impact on the Christmas Pass area.”
EMA provincial education and publicity officer Alice Rutsvara said the mine was operating without environment impact assessment (EIA) certification.
“The agency is in receipt of an EIA document concerning Toronto Mine which the agency rejected,” she said.
“From our records, any mining operations that may be occurring should be deemed illegal as there is no EIA certified projects in the area in question.”
Environmental advocacy groups are calling for an independent investigation into these allegations, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
There have been growing calls for action
In response to growing public outcry, civil society organizations are urging authorities to take decisive action—dispatching specialised environmental task forces to shut down illegal operations permanently, prosecute those involved—including any corrupt officials—and implement sustainable alternatives for local livelihoods.
Farai Maguwu, the director for the Centre for Natural Resources and Governance, said opening Christmas Pass to mining companies risks lives and destroys the mountain.
“Mining operations at Christmas Pass pose serious threats to both residents and the environment. Human lives are not recoverable once they are lost,” he said.
“We are criticising the political support being offered for this mining project. This is the highest form of
irresponsibility.
“Residents of Toronto must speak out about their fears and concerns before it’s too late.”
Centre for Research and Development director James Mupfumi questioned how government authorities could approve or tolerate a mining project at Christmas Pass.
“The decision to allow any form of mining in such a sensitive ecological and cultural area shows a complete disregard for environmental protection and public interest,” he said.
Asked for a comment, the retired colonel said: “We work with government agencies. Anything that has to do with environment, you should talk to EMA.”
Communities remain hopeful that justice will prevail and that measures will be taken to restore ecological balance along Christmas Pass Mountain.