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Zimbabwe's sacred sites under siege from mining threats
1 hr ago |
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Parliament has raised concern over continued mining activities and the issuing of mining permits on sacred cultural sites, warning that economic interests could come into conflict with communities' traditional and cultural values.
Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa questioned how Government resolves disputes when proposed mining operations overlap with sites considered culturally or spiritually significant by local communities.
Mushoriwa said some sacred sites had been placed under threat because of the way mining permits were being processed.
"Mining permits are issued through a centralised process to the extent that certain sacred cultural sites end up being demarcated for specific business ventures," he said.
"My question to the Minister is, when there is a cultural conflict with economic interests, how does Government come to a conclusion that mining supersedes culture without consulting the affected communities?"
Responding to the concerns, Mines Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said the process of issuing mining titles was decentralised and that provincial mining offices were responsible for handling applications in their respective areas.
He said traditional leaders were consulted before mining titles were issued.
"Mining title is not centralised but decentralised. We have provincial mining offices in all mining provinces, where such cases are first attended to. Our provincial officers engage with the traditional leadership," said Kambamura.
The minister said where traditional leaders did not grant consent, a mining title could not be issued.
He added that mining permits issued in error could also be cancelled or revoked.
The exchange highlighted growing concerns over the need to balance mineral extraction and economic development with the protection of sacred sites and communities' cultural heritage.
Government's position is that consultation with traditional leadership forms part of the mining title process, while permits found to have been improperly issued can be withdrawn.
Dzivarasekwa MP Edwin Mushoriwa questioned how Government resolves disputes when proposed mining operations overlap with sites considered culturally or spiritually significant by local communities.
Mushoriwa said some sacred sites had been placed under threat because of the way mining permits were being processed.
"Mining permits are issued through a centralised process to the extent that certain sacred cultural sites end up being demarcated for specific business ventures," he said.
"My question to the Minister is, when there is a cultural conflict with economic interests, how does Government come to a conclusion that mining supersedes culture without consulting the affected communities?"
Responding to the concerns, Mines Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said the process of issuing mining titles was decentralised and that provincial mining offices were responsible for handling applications in their respective areas.
He said traditional leaders were consulted before mining titles were issued.
"Mining title is not centralised but decentralised. We have provincial mining offices in all mining provinces, where such cases are first attended to. Our provincial officers engage with the traditional leadership," said Kambamura.
The minister said where traditional leaders did not grant consent, a mining title could not be issued.
He added that mining permits issued in error could also be cancelled or revoked.
The exchange highlighted growing concerns over the need to balance mineral extraction and economic development with the protection of sacred sites and communities' cultural heritage.
Government's position is that consultation with traditional leadership forms part of the mining title process, while permits found to have been improperly issued can be withdrawn.
Source - ZiFM Stereo
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