Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa
Harare – In a move to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable mining practices, the Zimbabwean government has enforced a ban on alluvial mining throughout the country, Dr Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, announced during a post-cabinet media briefing this Tuesday.
Following a Cabinet directive issued on August 20, 2024, an Inter-Ministerial Committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka, to oversee the enforcement of the ban and conduct a survey on the status of river ecosystems.
“Accordingly, on 29th November 2024, Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024: Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No.3) was gazetted,” Dr Muswere said. “The ban on alluvial mining has been implemented and enforced throughout the country, and the Statutory Instrument introduced stiffer penalties for offenders, including the seizure of minerals, machinery, equipment and vehicles. To date, a total of 344 arrests have been made across the country.”
The cabinet also received an update on various mining projects, as presented by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Wiston Chitando.
Dr Muswere highlighted the progress of the Palm River Mines and Energy project, which targets the production of stainless steel, electricity generation of 1,000 megawatts, one million tonnes of high carbon ferrochrome, and one million tonnes of coke. The company has made significant investments, including the construction of two 50-megawatt power stations, a 100,000 closed furnace high carbon ferrochrome production facility, and a 200,000 coke production plant.
Furthermore, the Zimbabwe Platinum Mines (Pvt) Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government for the implementation of a US$1.8 billion Expansion Programme over a 10-year period from 2021 to 2031. To date, US$1.1 billion has already been invested in various projects, such as the Ngezi Third Concentrator Plant, the upgrading of the Bimha Mine, the construction of a flagship Solar Plant, the smelter expansion component, the extension of the SMC Tailings Storage Facility, and the upgrade of Mupani Mine.
“The implementation of the expansion programme has deliberately been sequenced to begin with projects that unlock capacity up the value chain,” Dr Muswere said, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable and value-added mining practices.
The enforcement of the ban on alluvial mining and the focus on major mining projects demonstrate the government’s efforts to balance environmental protection and economic development in the mining sector.
Recent Comments