PlanetGOLD rallies Shamva stakeholders for mercury-free mining
By Admire Chitsungo
Stakeholders in Shamva District have rallied behind efforts to protect biodiversity and promote mercury-free artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) following a multi-stakeholder engagement convened under the planetGOLD Zimbabwe project in the Umfurudzi National Park landscape.
The engagement brought together district authorities, traditional leaders, miners, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders to strengthen integrated landscape governance and address the environmental, health and biodiversity risks associated with gold mining in and around protected areas.
The initiative seeks to foster coordinated action among communities, Government departments and conservation authorities while promoting safer and more sustainable mining practices.
PlanetGOLD Zimbabwe Project Manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori said the intervention was aimed at building a common understanding of landscape approaches, integrated land-use planning and sustainable environmental governance.
“The project works together with local stakeholders to reduce the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining, the world’s largest source of anthropogenic mercury emissions, while improving the health and livelihoods of local mining communities,” she said.
Mutonhori said the project was expected to directly benefit about 7 500 people across Zimbabwe, comprising 30 percent women and 70 percent men, while preventing the release of an estimated 4.85 tonnes of mercury emissions over its lifetime.
The initiative will also contribute to the sustainable management of approximately 76 000 hectares of landscapes, she said.
Umfurudzi National Park, which covers approximately 76 000 hectares in Shamva District, has been affected by mining activities, creating an intricate interface between livelihoods, conservation, water resources, biodiversity and environmental protection.
Mutonhori said the workshop sought to clarify the legal and institutional framework governing mining and environmental management in protected areas, including the respective responsibilities of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, EMA and ZimParks.
It also sought to raise awareness of the health, environmental and biodiversity risks associated with mercury, particularly its impact on water resources and ecosystems, while equipping miners and authorities with knowledge on reducing mercury emissions and exposure.
“Another key objective is to facilitate participatory mapping of mining, mercury, environmental and biodiversity risks within the Umfurudzi landscape, strengthen cross-institutional coordination and identify practical actions for improved management of mining-related risks,” she said.
The intervention comes amid growing recognition that ASGM remains an important source of livelihoods for thousands of Zimbabweans, but can pose serious environmental and health risks when conducted without adequate safeguards, particularly within or adjacent to protected areas.
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) Mining and Minerals Technical Officer Engineer Tatenda Mapooze said preliminary research had been undertaken to deepen understanding of ASGM activities in and around Umfurudzi.
The research examined mining practices, mercury use, environmental degradation and potential impacts on water resources and biodiversity.
“The findings will support evidence-based awareness among decision-makers and stakeholders on the risks associated with mining in protected areas and opportunities for mitigation,” said Eng Mapooze.
Traditional leaders also welcomed the initiative, with Chief Bushu, born Gracious Mukanwa, emphasising the importance of strengthening local capacity.
He said Chiefs, village heads, councillors, ZimParks officials, miners and other stakeholders needed to be equipped to apply jurisdictional and landscape approaches to sustainable mining, protected-area management and mercury reduction.
For miners, the initiative represents an opportunity to confront the hidden dangers associated with mercury use while exploring safer alternatives.
Pastor Terence Karuru, a Shamva miner, said the programme had opened their eyes to the dangers they had faced for years.
“PlanetGOLD Zimbabwe has come to our rescue to solve a problem we have lived with for years without knowing the impact of mercury use on our health and the environment,” he said.
“We are going to spread the message of mercury-free mining among miners and community members. We urge PlanetGOLD to train trainers across the country so that the message can quickly reach every corner.”
Chaminuka Rural District Council Ward 16 councillor and chairperson of the council’s Environment Committee, Cllr Coswell Kagogoda, applauded PlanetGOLD Zimbabwe for bringing stakeholders together to advance landscape governance, biodiversity protection and mercury-free mining in Umfurudzi.
The initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between mining, environmental, health and conservation authorities while ensuring that communities continue benefiting from natural resources without compromising the ecological integrity of protected landscapes.
The Umfurudzi engagement therefore marks another step towards reconciling livelihoods and conservation through a coordinated approach that places environmental protection, community health and sustainable development at the centre of Zimbabwe’s mineral resource governance.
