Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) in collaboration with Peacebuilding and Capacity Development Foundation (PADCEF) successfully hosted a Multistakeholder Conference on Mining in Manicaland province.
The conference brought together stakeholders including the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mischek Mugadza, traditional leaders (Chief Mutasa and Marange) small-scale miners, civic society organizations, government departments, and communities in the province.
Delegates at the conference concurred on the need for sweeping reforms that support responsible and sustainable mining practices for equitable socio-economic development envisaged by government to be driven mining.
In recommendations to the government, the delegates called for the expeditious finalization of the Mines and Minerals Bill which has been under review since 2013, the introduction of modern enforcement and compliance systems as well as interministerial coordination.
Already government will institute an Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) policy, according to the deputy Provincial Mining Director, Dr E Savieri, with stakeholder consultations currently underway for strategies to sustainably develop the sector and to curb illegal operations.
She revealed that there is a capital extensive exploration underway in the Buhera district for lithium and tungsten, while Chimanimani, Chipinge, and Nyanga districts are also under exploration for diamonds.
For compliance with environmental and mining laws, the government is focusing on enhanced monitoring of the mining industry said Dr Savieri.
“The Computerised Mining Cadastre Information Management System will assist in extensive exploration across the province. The ministry is also looking at the minimization of mineral leakages and we have instituted gold mobilization exercises to improve the delivery of minerals to the Fidelity printers,” she said.
Statutory Instruments that ban the exportation of un-beneficiated minerals, including lithium, and granite among other minerals, have culminated in a Lithium floatation beneficiation processing plant, at Sabi Star commissioned in August 2023.
“Manicaland province is undergoing transformative times, resuscitation of the Dorowa and Inyati mine, the Sabi Star project, and upcoming middle-scale projects- the government also underpins hope on the small-scale mining activities.
“The mining cadastre system will enable the government to, the system to be launched this year, technical feasibility is currently underway, and Manicaland province will host the pilot of the project.
“Manicaland has uranium in Zimunya, an energy mineral that the government is looking into exploiting. Value addition is a thrust that the government has made to stop the exportation of raw minerals and construction of the Gemology Center for diamond polishing and cutting,” said Dr Savieri.
The Minister of State Hon Mugadza, also called for responsible mining practices that balance the interests of business, people, and the environment, saying resource extraction has a ripple effect on the health of our planet.
He said the National Development Strategy (NDS) balances these interests by calling for sustainable use of natural resources for economic development while driving environmental sustainability agenda, and empowerment of communities using natural resources.
“Through the NDS1 a clarion call has been made to sustainably use natural resources for national development, and significant effort has been made in putting in place relevant policies for environmental protection.
“Sustainability is about meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, it is about striking a balance between economic growth social progress, and environmental protection,” said Mugadza.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference CNRG executive director said the inclusive stakeholder conference provided a platform for mining communities, miners farmers local authorities to address potential conflicts of interest.
Maguwu said there is a need for collaborative and strategic monitoring of mining investment across the three major sectors of gold, diamond, and lithium in Manicaland province.
“We need transparent management of the natural resources because citizens want to know the revenue generated from the lucrative sector and how it is contributing to the national fiscus. There are a lot of challenges in the mining sector, and for Penhalonga in particular unsafe mining practices stand out, and environmental degradation the area is inaccessible when there is rain
“We have Sabi Star mining lithium in Buhera which has just started, as of now we cannot say there have been challenges but we are closely monitoring their operations to ensure that they comply with the laws of the land.
“So, for Manicaland province with its great potential in gold, diamond, and lithium we are constantly engaging to strategize on ways to derive maximum value from our natural resources,” he said.
PACDEF board member Farirai Mudiwa said Manicaland province is renowned for mineral endowment and as a region with a substantial presence of artisanal and small-scale miners.
She said it was crucial to adopt responsible mining practices for equitable distribution of mining revenue, urging for the finalization of the Mines and Minerals Bill to provide overarching legislative guidance.
“Social conflicts, environmental degradation, and mine accidents often with fatalities and dangers paused by unregulated mining practices. Imperative to address challenges for mining activities to be more sustainable.
Chief Marange represented by Chikonzero Munzwa Marange, however, said communities have been left with little to show from the natural resource endowment in the localities, except the negative costs of mining on the social, cultural, and economic livelihoods of people.
He said relocated families have been left impoverished without comprehensive compensation and livelihood support from the diamond mining companies that moved them from their ancestral homes.
“There should be a token from the mining company for corporate social responsibility, catering for the elderly, people with disabilities, and providing social safety nets for those in need in our communities.
“As a community, we have been expecting the creation of jobs for the local community, and youths to avoid social ills that are bedeviling our society. Relocations should be cognisant of the socio-economic needs of the people who are being moved from their ancestral homes,” said Chief Marange.