Lithium mining around Sabi Star Mine in Buhera has severely affected local community villagers who were relocated to pave the way for the mineral resource extraction, The Weekly can reveal.
About 41 families were relocated in the area, some around the mine and some to Murambinda. Upon relocation, some families were given US$1 900, and others had houses built for them. The company applied in terms of sections 31 and 80 of the Mines and Minerals Act, which provides for relocation and compensation.
However, the families were not extensively consulted on the relocations. They were made to sign contracts without being given time to read and sign. In addition, they were threatened that their houses would be demolished if they refused to sign.
Recently, a team from the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) made a fact-finding visit to the area to establish issues affecting the villagers. A meeting was held at the Chikunda homestead to establish the issues being faced by the Mukwasi and Tagarira villagers. These villagers were relocated after the setting up of Sabi Star mine, which is being run by Max Mind Investments, a Chinese firm.
It was discovered that a total of 41 families were relocated to pave way for the mining activities. They were given an option to choose a relocation area between Murambinda growth point and Mukwasi village which is their original area.
“The level of human rights awareness was assessed, and key emerging issues were discussed during the meeting,” said Ndaizivei Garura, a Project Officer for CNRG.
She revealed that a lot of anomalies were discovered.
“Villagers were forced to sign contracts without understanding them. They had demanded US$5 000 in compensation, but they were forced to settle for US$1 900. Empty promises were made- such as tarred roads, employment of locals and a pledge by the mine to buy locally produced goods. The borehole drilled produces rusty water and no action is being taken,” she said.
Garura also highlighted that the visiting CNRG team discovered that explosives used produce hazardous gases which affect the villagers while on the other hand, there is cultural dilution from the bad language used by miners as well as sexual harassment towards women and girls in the area.
“EIA consultation did not include the affected villagers. There was manipulation of certain individuals who were not affected by the relocation.
Some houses are showing cracks already and poor workmanship can be seen on some windows and verandas where water flows into the houses when it rains heavily. Land pollution from the mine dump is rife and Mukwasi dam has been personalized by the mine. Villagers no longer have a reliable source of water for their domestic chores and livestock. Emotional disruption is still being suffered by the villagers from being uprooted from their original homes,” she said.
Under the circumstances, CNRG recommends the following:
- Capacity building on procedural channels when making complaints.
- Legislation training on mining and environmental laws to capacitate them on the right to say no.
- Legal assistance to assist communities use the courts to demand rights
- Multi-stakeholder engagements to address the community’s concerns and the promotion of ESG as a tool.
- Awareness campaigns on women’s rights
- Training on the Zimbabwean Constitution to empower them to demand their constitutional rights.
Under its Strengthening extractive and Natural Resources Sector Transparency and Accountability through Citizen Action and Parliamentary Oversight in Zimbabwe (STACAP) project, CNRG has been working to strengthen and empower mining-affected communities and citizens to effectively hold duty bearers, state actors and the executive industries accountable.