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Christmas Pass mining sparks mudslide fears
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Rampant illegal gold mining along the Christmas Pass Mountain Range has raised serious concerns over environmental degradation, public safety, and potential water contamination, authorities and environmental watchdogs have warned.
Unscrupulous entrepreneurs, Chinese investors, and artisanal miners are reportedly evading law enforcement, carrying out mining activities under cover of darkness or when the area is deserted. The unlawful operations have left deep gullies and tunnels across the northern slopes, particularly near Hillcrest College, Toronto Mines, and surrounding private properties. Cyanide and other chemicals used in gold processing have been scattered across the site, raising fears of toxic contamination.
Hundreds of residents living at the foot of the mountain are at risk, particularly with above-normal rainfall and tropical cyclones forecast for the season. Local property damage, including destroyed swimming pools and gardens, has already been reported. Officials warn that unregulated mining threatens the City of Mutare's drinking water supply and could cause catastrophic mudslides similar to incidents in Nepal.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, confirmed that government has issued a directive ordering all mining operations in the area to cease immediately.
"We have directed that all illegal gold mining operations in that area must cease immediately. We cannot tolerate such unregulated gold mining due to obvious safety concerns for local residents and the potential environmental impact," Minister Mugadza said.
Mutasa Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr George Bandure, noted that all mining activities currently occurring are unlicensed. He said the sites fall within claims owned by Toronto Mines (Pvt) Ltd., which had mobilized equipment for exploration purposes without completing a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
"The company was advised to conduct an EIA first, as the project falls under prescribed activities of the Environmental Management Agency Act. Currently, all activities have been halted following a stop order issued by EMA," said Mr Bandure.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial education and publicity officer, Mrs Alice Rutsvara, echoed the sentiment, confirming that no EIA-certified mining projects exist in the area. She pledged continued monitoring to ensure compliance with the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27).
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) also raised alarms after a recent site visit revealed Chinese nationals still present, indicating that illegal mining may be ongoing. CNRG director, Mr Farai Maguwu, warned that the environmental and safety risks are severe.
"The mining activities pose a significant threat of mudslides, and the environmental costs are substantial. The once-lush slopes of Christmas Pass Mountain Range are rapidly being gouged into scars of red soil, creeping dangerously close to telecommunications towers and private properties," Mr Maguwu said.
Attempts to obtain comment from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development were unsuccessful.
Authorities continue to urge strict adherence to legal mining procedures, emphasizing that all operations must comply with environmental and safety standards to protect both local communities and the natural landscape.
Unscrupulous entrepreneurs, Chinese investors, and artisanal miners are reportedly evading law enforcement, carrying out mining activities under cover of darkness or when the area is deserted. The unlawful operations have left deep gullies and tunnels across the northern slopes, particularly near Hillcrest College, Toronto Mines, and surrounding private properties. Cyanide and other chemicals used in gold processing have been scattered across the site, raising fears of toxic contamination.
Hundreds of residents living at the foot of the mountain are at risk, particularly with above-normal rainfall and tropical cyclones forecast for the season. Local property damage, including destroyed swimming pools and gardens, has already been reported. Officials warn that unregulated mining threatens the City of Mutare's drinking water supply and could cause catastrophic mudslides similar to incidents in Nepal.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, confirmed that government has issued a directive ordering all mining operations in the area to cease immediately.
"We have directed that all illegal gold mining operations in that area must cease immediately. We cannot tolerate such unregulated gold mining due to obvious safety concerns for local residents and the potential environmental impact," Minister Mugadza said.
Mutasa Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr George Bandure, noted that all mining activities currently occurring are unlicensed. He said the sites fall within claims owned by Toronto Mines (Pvt) Ltd., which had mobilized equipment for exploration purposes without completing a mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
"The company was advised to conduct an EIA first, as the project falls under prescribed activities of the Environmental Management Agency Act. Currently, all activities have been halted following a stop order issued by EMA," said Mr Bandure.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial education and publicity officer, Mrs Alice Rutsvara, echoed the sentiment, confirming that no EIA-certified mining projects exist in the area. She pledged continued monitoring to ensure compliance with the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27).
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) also raised alarms after a recent site visit revealed Chinese nationals still present, indicating that illegal mining may be ongoing. CNRG director, Mr Farai Maguwu, warned that the environmental and safety risks are severe.
"The mining activities pose a significant threat of mudslides, and the environmental costs are substantial. The once-lush slopes of Christmas Pass Mountain Range are rapidly being gouged into scars of red soil, creeping dangerously close to telecommunications towers and private properties," Mr Maguwu said.
Attempts to obtain comment from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development were unsuccessful.
Authorities continue to urge strict adherence to legal mining procedures, emphasizing that all operations must comply with environmental and safety standards to protect both local communities and the natural landscape.
Source - Manica Post
