Zimbabwe govt bans alluvial mining

The Zimbabwean government has introduced stringent regulations banning alluvial mining activities along rivers and public streams, citing significant environmental damage caused by the practice. The move is aimed at curbing the ecological destruction that has plagued many of the country's rivers due to unchecked mining activities.

This development follows last month's ban on two Chinese companies conducting alluvial gold mining along the Sanyati River, which borders Hurungwe and Nyaminyami districts.

Under the newly gazetted Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, any individual or entity found engaging in alluvial mining will face legal repercussions, including a fine not exceeding level 14, up to 12 months of imprisonment, or both.

The regulation explicitly prohibits alluvial mining, even for individuals or companies holding special grants, written authorities, or Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

"No person shall, with effect from the promulgation of this section, conduct alluvial mining activities or carry out prospecting for alluvial deposits in or along any river or public stream," the law states, regardless of prior authorisation under the Mines and Minerals Act, Environmental Management Act, or any other legislation.

The statutory instrument declares that all special grants, permits, licences, or EIAs permitting alluvial mining are now invalid. It further mandates that anyone who was previously conducting such activities must cease operations immediately and rehabilitate affected areas within 30 days.

"Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months or to both such fine and such imprisonment," the regulation reads.

The law emphasizes the need for rehabilitation of degraded areas, requiring responsible parties to implement measures to restore affected environments. The measures include restoring riverbeds and replanting vegetation to mitigate the ecological damage caused by mining activities.

The ban is seen as a decisive step toward sustainable environmental management and reflects the government's commitment to preserving Zimbabwe's natural resources.

Environmental activists have welcomed the move, describing it as a critical intervention to protect ecosystems and ensure the health and livelihoods of communities living near rivers affected by alluvial mining.

By prioritizing environmental integrity over short-term economic gains, the government seeks to address the long-standing issue of unregulated mining and its detrimental impacts on water resources and biodiversity.