Resource extraction activities in rural communities, particularly in areas such as the Shurugwi Mining area, play a pivotal role in shaping local economies and livelihoods. This study adopts a holistic approach to understanding the various risk factors to which rural communities are exposed due to extractive activities. Such an investigation is timely and essential, particularly considering Zimbabwe’s commitment to achieving Vision 2030, which aims to elevate the country to an upper-middle-class economy. This vision is guided by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) (2020-2025), which outlines key pillars to drive Zimbabwe’s progress towards Vision 2030.
Zimbabwe has abundant natural resources, including minerals, which hold immense potential to contribute significantly to the country’s development. However, pursuing developmental projects such as extractives often disrupts the established order within communities and threatens human rights. This disruption is particularly pronounced in rural communities, where most mining activities occur nationwide. For instance, human displacement and conflicts are global risks associated with resource extraction, and Zimbabwe is no exception. Notably, Zimbabwe is rich in gold, diamond, platinum, and coal, among other mineral resources.
About 66% of the Zimbabwean population resides in rural communities. Most inhabitants of these rural communities do not have formal title to the land, rather they have the right to use, as such land belongs to the State. Consequently, there are concerns that people’s rights are often violated to pave the way for resource extraction projects. Environmental degradation and pollution further compound communities’ risks and hazards as resource extraction activities progress. Unfortunately, state and non-state stakeholders may overlook these risks, endangering the well-being of communities, including human and animal life.
In light of these challenges, it becomes imperative to implement measures that address the distortions brought about by resource extraction activities while ensuring a win-win situation for all stakeholders, particularly the affected communities. These measures must be inclusive enough to cater to the diverse needs of vulnerable members of the communities, including women, the disabled, the elderly, children, and marginalized groups. Hence, this study aims to elucidate the lived realities of rural communities, focusing on Shurugwi, concerning resource extraction activities. Additionally, the study seeks to identify gaps in existing legislative and policy frameworks, highlight challenges encountered by communities in socio-economic and cultural contexts, and provide practical recommendations to mitigate the effects of resource extraction activities.
The study drew upon literature on extractive activities across Zimbabwe to achieve the objectives, specifically in Shurugwi communities. Emphasizing inclusivity, the study addresses unique issues affecting various groups within the target communities, including women, the disabled, the elderly, children, vulnerable individuals, marginalized populations, and the business community.
This study filled the gap in the existing literature by focusing on the specific risk factors faced by rural communities in the Shurugwi Mining Area, thereby contributing to informed decision-making and sustainable development practices in Zimbabwe’s extractive sector.