Staff Writer
A Masvingo based lobby organization, Women in Governance and Peace Building has called on government to urgently stop land degradation caused by illegal chrome miners in King Mine in Mashava.
In an interview with The Blast, the organization’s programmes manager, Prosper Tiringindi said people’s livelihood in the area,has over the recent years been severely affected without any mitigatory measures being taken.
“As an organization we are seriously concerned over the land and infrastructure destruction which is being done unabated by chrome small scale miners in King Mine in Mashava.
What is a matter of concern is that these miners leave open pits unfilled after mining activities, leaving the environment under a trail of destruction,” said Tiringindi.
“As an organization which advocates for a healthy and clean environment, we are calling upon the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to redress the issue as a matter of urgency.We are calling upon government to be actively involving in ensuring that these activities stop forthwith.
“While we are not against small scale mining activities, we are of the opinion that these be carried in a proper manner which preserves the environment in Mashava,” said Tiringindi.
No immediate response could be obtained from EMA.
Land degradation in King Mine area of Mashava, a former asbestos mining settlement is primarily driven by illegal chrome mining activities, causing issues like soil erosion and damage to infrastructure.