Zimbabwe bans riverbed mining

The government has announced that over 300 illegal miners have been arrested across Zimbabwe as authorities intensify the enforcement of the ban on alluvial mining, following a directive issued by Cabinet earlier this year.

In August, Cabinet issued a directive banning riverbed mining in an effort to protect the environment and regulate the mining sector. This was followed up by the gazetting of the Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No 3) on November 29, which introduced stringent penalties for offenders.

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere confirmed the crackdown, saying, "The ban on alluvial mining has been implemented and enforced throughout the country. The statutory instrument introduced stiffer penalties for offenders and allows for the seizure of minerals, machinery, equipment, and vehicles. To date, a total of 344 arrests have been made across the country."

The move to clamp down on illegal mining activities comes as the government seeks to curb environmental damage and restore order to the mining sector. The increase in arrests signals the government's determination to tackle the widespread illegal mining activities that have been causing significant harm to the environment, particularly riverbeds.

In addition to the enforcement of the alluvial mining ban, Muswere provided updates on other government efforts during the post-Cabinet briefing. He highlighted the country's preparedness for the 2024/25 rainfall season, which is expected to bring high levels of precipitation, increasing the risk of riverine flooding. Muswere noted that the government had developed a multi-hazard contingency plan to address potential natural disasters, including tropical cyclones, floods, heatwaves, landslides, and other hazards that could disrupt local communities and the economy.

"The multi-hazard contingency plan targets any disaster that evolves beyond the coping capacity of local communities, as well as transboundary diseases," Muswere explained.

On the food security front, Muswere provided a positive outlook for the 2024/25 summer season, with a goal to increase cereal production to 3,274,200 metric tonnes (MT), significantly higher than the 744,271 MT produced during the previous season. He also noted that Zimbabwe had already surpassed its wheat production target for 2023, with 563,961 MT harvested to date.

The government is also working to ensure the continued distribution of stockfeed and drought mitigation assistance. As part of this effort, the establishment of Ward Drought Mitigation Centres has already achieved 43% of the target set for 1,035 wards.

As Zimbabwe faces challenges from both illegal mining and climate-related disasters, the government's initiatives in law enforcement, disaster preparedness, and food security are crucial steps towards safeguarding the country's natural resources and the livelihoods of its citizens.