Mining operations destroy residential houses

THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has been petitioned to stop mining operations taking place near some residential suburbs of Gwanda, Matabeleland South, following reports that they were causing severe infrastructural damage to houses in the area.

In a petition to the EMA and also copied to the Gwanda municipality dated January 20, 2021, the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) raised concern over mining operations at Gold Stamp mill situated between ward 6 and 9 in Gwanda.

The petition by the CYDT and its members follows a meeting held in December 2020 between the civic youth group and residents where it was resolved to engage the EMA and the local authority to “understand reasons behind approving such a project despite evidence it is within residential areas”.

“Therefore, responding on the above-cited concerns may help in addressing concerns and limit possible negative impact that may be caused by the continuation of the stamp mill project,” the petition reads in part.

“…residents of ward 8 – Garikai and part of Phakama townships‑ have been raising concern on the effects of the nearby Gold Stamp Mill that has caused severe damages to their houses. The majority of the houses in these townships are cracking with windows and roofing grossly affected.”

According to the country’s laws, no mining activity can take place near a residential area for obvious reasons that may include, but not restricted to, infrastructural damages, noise and environmental pollution and potential health hazards

“Therefore, realising the importance of mining activities in people’s lives and in the national fiscus, there is need for close monitoring so as to ensure maximum compliance with the statutes and the law of the land,” the petition adds..

“One prime requirement is to ensure that everyone who intends to embark on any form of mining activity complies with the Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) first. The process requires remaining open to public scrutiny and inquiry so as to access relevant information, hence the increasing concern on the Gold Stamp mill situated between ward 6 and 9.”

In their plea for a stop to mining operations near residential areas, the petitioners also cited various statutes such as Section 51 of the Constitution which calls on the State to protect “the right to human dignity” declaring that every person has inherent dignity in their private and public life and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.”