Councillors raise alarm over Gwanda Lithium Mine operations

Councillors and traditional leaders in Gwanda Rural District have raised serious concerns over dust pollution, deteriorating roads and an alleged lack of transparency by Gwanda Lithium Mine, calling for urgent government intervention to safeguard affected communities.

The concerns were raised during a full council meeting convened to consider recommendations from the Rural District Development Committee (RDDC), amid growing frustration over the mine's operations and their impact on local residents.

In its report, the RDDC recommended the establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force comprising officials from the Ministry of Mines, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Gwanda Rural District Council (GRDC) and other technical experts. The proposed task force would engage Gwanda Lithium Mine to establish whether the company is actively mining at the site or merely processing ore transported from outside the district.

"The RDDC is to oversee the formation of the task force and set its terms of reference," read the meeting minutes. "GRDC is to lead research into whether the law allows the local authority to levy charges on a mine that processes ore without mining on site, as is the case with Gwanda Lithium Mine, which declares that the tonnage it reports is ore mined in Sandawana and processed in Gwanda."

The committee also called for improved monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning in community projects, as well as support for research and development initiatives to ensure development programmes deliver tangible benefits.

However, before the recommendations could be adopted, councillors accused Gwanda Lithium Mine of failing to honour commitments made to affected communities, particularly regarding dust suppression and infrastructure improvements.

"There is dust affecting people. We were told dust suppressors would be used, but what is shocking is that water is only poured about 50 metres from the business centre, while other villagers continue to suffer from dust pollution," said Councillor Ndlovu.

He said mine officials had previously assured council leadership that dust suppressors would be installed, but no meaningful action had followed.

"We are dealing with people who are not honest," he said.

Other councillors questioned the mine's claims that it was only processing ore brought in from outside the district, saying this was the original reason behind calls for the formation of a task force.

"Are they genuine when they say all the ore is coming from outside? Have we established whether they are telling the truth, or whether they are mixing it with ore from this area?" one councillor asked.

Concerns were also raised about the health risks associated with ongoing dust pollution.

"People in this ward are complaining. The mine said it would pour water, but even when they do, it does not last long. This is a danger to the people," another councillor said.

Several councillors dismissed water sprinkling as a temporary and ineffective solution, calling instead for permanent infrastructure upgrades.

"They pour water in the morning, but by 10am or 3pm the dust is back. We do not want this water-pouring arrangement; we want a tarred road," one councillor said.

Councillor Sebata went further, alleging that mining activities were taking place at the site despite official claims to the contrary.

"They keep saying they are not mining here, but that is not true. They have done nothing meaningful for the community. When EMA last visited, they found gold mining activities that they were not aware of. Yet under the ministry, they claim operations have been halted. The claim that they are only processing ore is not true," he said.

Infrastructure damage was also highlighted, with councillors pointing to the poor state of roads used by heavy trucks.

"The road to Ntephe is now in a poor state. If possible, they should allow us to open an alternative road for use," said Councillor Mhlanga.

Traditional leader Chief Mathema questioned the ownership of the mining operations and criticised the lack of visible benefits for local communities.

"Who exactly is mining here? Is it white investors or Chinese investors? If it is Chinese, they are not doing anything for us. They should construct roads and permanent infrastructure that benefits the community," he said.

Responding to the concerns, the District Development Coordinator said information received from the Ministry of Mines indicated that Gwanda Lithium Mine was not actively mining at the site.

"The task force has not yet been formed. We are still conducting research on whether the local authority is allowed to levy charges on ore processed from outside the district," he said. "Once this research is concluded, we will engage. The task force will include EMA, the Ministry of Mines and the RDC."

He added that, according to the Ministry of Mines, the company was only processing ore transported from elsewhere.

Council chairperson Mpathiswa Ncube called for renewed engagement with higher levels of government, citing a lack of progress despite previous discussions.

"We want another meeting with the Minister of State. We raised this issue before and it was thoroughly discussed, but there has been no progress," Ncube said. "We also need clarity on when the task force will be formed. Different stakeholders are visiting the site and coming back with different messages. We need one voice and serious action. Take us back to the Minister of State."