Proposals to ban mercury use

Small scale miners have expressed concern that the proposed ban for mercury in all industrial uses, including gold processing, will undermine the viability of the sector.

Last month, government representatives from more than 40 countries, including Zimbabwe, met in Switzerland and agreed to sign a mercury treaty later this year as part of global fight against pollution.

Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-scale for Sustainable Mining Council president Walter Takavarasha said the treaty would affect more than 500 000 people.