Zimbabwe declares war on illegal urban mining

The Government has approved a nationwide crackdown on illegal urban mining, adopting a coordinated "Whole-of-Government" strategy that will see the establishment of a national taskforce and tougher penalties to curb environmental destruction, damage to public infrastructure and unlawful mining activities.

The decision was made after an assessment in Bindura Municipality and Bindura Rural District Council revealed extensive illegal and unregulated mining in residential areas, public infrastructure corridors and land reserved for future urban development.

Announcing the decision during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Harare, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said Cabinet had endorsed a comprehensive national response to address the growing problem.

"An assessment undertaken at Bindura Municipality and Bindura District Council has confirmed extensive illegal and unregulated mining activities occurring within residential areas, public infrastructure corridors and land designated for future urban expansion," Dr Soda said.

"Accordingly, Cabinet resolved to adopt a Whole-of-Government approach and to appoint a national taskforce to deal with the problem."

The taskforce will coordinate interventions across Government ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen enforcement of mining, environmental, local government and public health legislation.

Cabinet also approved a review of existing penalties and fines to ensure harsher punishment for offenders, while directing authorities to intensify monitoring and law enforcement operations in areas affected by illegal mining.

Dr Soda said illegal urban mining has caused widespread environmental, social and economic damage, including the destruction of roads and railway infrastructure, pollution of water sources and degradation of land earmarked for urban expansion.

He added that the practice has contributed to occupational diseases such as silicosis and tuberculosis, while also fuelling drug and substance abuse and the spread of sexually transmitted infections in some mining communities.

The national taskforce is expected to spearhead coordinated enforcement operations aimed at protecting communities, preserving public infrastructure and ensuring that mining activities comply with Zimbabwe's mining, environmental and land-use planning laws.

Responding to questions, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said illegal urban mining had imposed significant economic costs through the destruction of infrastructure and public land.

"Urban mining has created pain and suffering for ordinary citizens. It has damaged land set aside for social amenities and disrupted economic activity through the destruction of road and rail infrastructure," Garwe said.

He noted that although Government had not yet quantified the financial losses, the impact on economic activity, particularly in areas between Bindura and Shamva, was substantial.

The crackdown forms part of the Government's broader drive to promote responsible and sustainable mining while ensuring that the country's mineral wealth contributes to economic development without compromising communities, infrastructure or the environment.

The initiative also supports Vision 2030, which seeks to accelerate orderly urban development, strengthen infrastructure and promote sustainable exploitation of natural resources as Zimbabwe pursues upper-middle-income economy status.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has previously pledged to tighten oversight of the mining sector, saying the Government would not tolerate illegal mining and other malpractices that undermine sustainable development.

Mining remains one of Zimbabwe's key economic sectors, contributing about 15 percent of gross domestic product, accounting for more than 75 percent of export earnings and attracting significant foreign direct investment, driven largely by gold, platinum group metals and lithium.