EMA raises alarm on Mutare mining activities

The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has raised the red flag over rampant and largely unregulated mining activities in Mutare, warning that the environmental degradation now unfolding poses serious threats to land, infrastructure, communities, and long-term economic sustainability.

Speaking during an Environmental Inspectorate Unit engagement training workshop held in Mutare, EMA Principal Environmental Officer Nelton Mangezi urged authorities and stakeholders to prioritise sustainable mining practices before irreversible damage is done.

"Mining activities are not only limited to designated mining areas but are also being carried out within households and small-scale setups," Mangezi said. "These activities are often unregulated and are causing significant damage to roads and land. It's a ticking time bomb that requires immediate attention from responsible authorities."

The workshop brought together officials from EMA, Mutare Rural District Council (RDC), City of Mutare, Mutasa RDC, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and other key institutions.

Mangezi warned that if current trends continue, large swathes of land could become uninhabitable, displacing communities and compromising agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and infrastructure. "We cannot afford to sacrifice our environmental integrity on the altar of economic development," he added. "The need of the hour is to strike a balance between exploiting our mineral resources and preserving our land for future generations."

He cited Penhalonga as one of the hotspots where unregulated gold mining is threatening not just the environment but also roads, livestock, and community safety.

Participants at the workshop called for a coordinated and multi-sectoral approach involving government ministries, local authorities, mining companies, and local residents. Among the proposals were the development of a robust regulatory framework, stricter enforcement of existing environmental laws, and improved transparency and accountability in the mining sector in Manicaland Province.

The workshop ended with a strong call for collective responsibility, with stakeholders vowing to push for immediate reforms to curb environmental abuse and promote responsible resource extraction.