The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) recently hosted the Shurugwi, Sese, Marange, and Penhalonga communities in Mutare as part of the Unified Right to Say No #Right2SayNo Campaign which is aimed at creating a community-led initiative to increase awareness of the negative impacts of mining.
The event was held on the 29th of November 2023
To strengthen grassroots movements advocating for environmental justice and a developmental agenda supported by their local natural resources, CNRG has been educating mining host communities on the principles of #Right2SayNo over the past years.
Speaking on the need for community involvement in the mining process during the Mutare workshop, CNRG Field Officer Rachel Jambo urged the communities to be agile and make sure they raise their voices when extractive projects are imposed on them.
“Mining communities have frequently been excluded from decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to the issuance of mining permits. This has been a challenge because mining companies will have little to nothing to offer the host communities. With these challenges the community must make sure that their voices are heard, and their rights are respected only if they speak up,” she said.
The Shurugwi, Penhalonga and Sese communities are home to several negative impacts from the mining of gold, diamonds, and other minerals in their respective areas. Reports of environmental degradation, pollution, displacement, violence and social disarticulation have been made in Shurugwi, whilst mining pits in Penhalonga have become a daily hazard.
The Sese community has been battling illegal activities by Murowa Diamonds company in violation of proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) dictates.
Through interventions by CNRG and other development partners, the Sese community stood for their rights and defended their land.
Dzikamidzi village is one of the many villages facing these negative impacts of mining and is currently facing imminent displacement to make way for UNKI mine’s expansion operations.
The Mutare was therefore part of CNRG’s strategy meetings to formulate a community-led campaign in each of these communities.
The meeting touched on the importance of community involvement in decision-making before the granting of mining permits. So that the community has a voice when it comes to environmental management.
The intention was to lay out a path ahead for community-led local campaigns against irresponsible mining in different mining towns, while also empowering the community on matters pertaining to human rights, environmental laws, and free and prior informed consent.
The official story on all mining villages is identical, and some of the issues they encounter are quite similar. In general, the predicted economic benefits and revenues of mining are obtained by mine owners and the government, while the externalized costs are borne by the community.