Illegal gold mining halted in Bulawayo's affluent suburbs

Residents of Bulawayo's upscale suburbs, New Parklands and Mqabuko Heights, have received a reprieve following extensive illegal gold mining that plagued the communities for over a year. Miners had dug open pits, detonated explosives at night, and left the land severely degraded, sparking safety concerns and threatening property values.

A joint operation by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and Bulawayo City Council (BCC) successfully rehabilitated 2.2 hectares of land, filling pits with gravel and compacting the ground. Of this, one hectare was restored in Mqabuko Heights and 1.2 hectares in New Parklands, near Fairview Primary School, at a cost of US$1,000.

"From a target of five hectares, EMA and BCC managed to rehabilitate 2.2 hectares of degraded land in the two suburbs at a cost of US$1,000," confirmed Mrs Sithembisiwe Ndlovu during a Bulawayo Provincial Development Committee meeting.

Residents welcomed the move, noting that the pits had previously posed serious threats to property values and personal safety. Mqabuko Heights resident Alois Mutunhu said, "We are glad the pits have been closed; it discourages them from coming back." Similarly, New Parklands resident Dorcas Tshuma stressed the need for consistent interventions to prevent a recurrence.

Environmental activist Simon Malunga highlighted that while the US$1,000 cost appeared minimal, the damage caused by illegal mining was extensive. "The effects of land degradation can be felt for generations… more funds must be channelled into rehabilitating other areas affected by illegal mining in Bulawayo," he said.

EMA's environmental education and publicity manager, Amkela Sidange, said the rehabilitation forms part of proactive enforcement through Environmental Protection Orders. She warned that illegal mining destroys ecosystems, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss, making restoration essential.

"Illegal mining involves both unregistered individuals and, at times, established companies. While EMA conducts raids and awareness campaigns, pick-and-shovel miners are hard to pin down because they move constantly," Sidange said.

Last year, EMA rehabilitated more than 600 hectares of mined land nationwide, reflecting its commitment to environmental restoration and sustainable mining practices. Bulawayo has seen illegal mining expand to several suburbs, including Queens Park, Mahatshula, Killarney, New Parklands, and Mqabuko Heights, prompting calls for stronger interventions.

For now, the rehabilitation in New Parklands and Mqabuko Heights offers residents relief and hope that the environmental scars left by reckless mining can be healed.