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Gold panning activities at Ncema dam irks councillor Mangena
07 May 2016 at 10:54hrs | Views
Bulawayo ward 24 councillor Gideon Mangena has expressed concerns of the escalating gold panning activities at the Ncema dam in the outskirts of Bulawayo saying this would cause serious degradation and siltation.
According to latest council minutes, referring to environmental Issues Councillor Mangena brought Council's attention to the degradation taking place at Ncema Dam as a result of illegal gold panning.
"Whilst reports confirmed that routine patrols were being conducted in the area, indications were that these panning activities occurred mainly at night to avoid detection," reads the minutes.
"The concern was that these activities constituted a danger to the City's water supplies, not only by way of siltation, but though possible use of
dangerous chemicals by the panners."
The minutes states that there was therefore need for the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to ensure the stepping up of patrols in this and other dams particularly at night.
According to latest council minutes, referring to environmental Issues Councillor Mangena brought Council's attention to the degradation taking place at Ncema Dam as a result of illegal gold panning.
"Whilst reports confirmed that routine patrols were being conducted in the area, indications were that these panning activities occurred mainly at night to avoid detection," reads the minutes.
"The concern was that these activities constituted a danger to the City's water supplies, not only by way of siltation, but though possible use of
dangerous chemicals by the panners."
The minutes states that there was therefore need for the Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to ensure the stepping up of patrols in this and other dams particularly at night.
Source - Byo24News
