Once a tranquil and serene community nestled in the heart of Zimbabwe, Bikita now finds itself caught in the relentless grip of an insidious force that threatens its very existence. The bludgeoning rise of lithium mining, driven by a surging global demand for this strategic mineral, has brought forth a blight.
In the boom of mining activity in to extract lithium a core mineral required for electrical vehicles, in Africa impoverished villagers have been further pushed to the periphery. In its wake in remote rural villages of Midlands Province, in Zimbabwe, it has upended livelihoods and stirred a myriad of negative consequences.
As Africa’s top producer of lithium, Zimbabwe is expected to meet 20% of the world’s lithium demand in 2024, attracting mega Chinese investments totalling $1.4 billion in 2022–2023. Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency (ZIDA) continues to grant even more licenses to lithium miners.
In the fourth quarter of 2023 ZIDA states that it received a proposal with a projected investment value of US$6.940bn, for minerals (gold, nickel and lithium) trading and mining development, which is being reviewed.
Investment appetite for minerals critical to developing EV batteries, including cobalt, manganese, nickel, and graphite, as recorded by ZIDA is driving this mining resurgence.
“The mining continued to draw the most investment, both in terms of number and projected investment value. In Q4 2023, 76% of the projected investment value for all licenses were issued in the mining sector.”
Inspite of this positive investment portfolio, there is an externalised costs poignantly felt by communities in resource rich areas like Bikita where operations are owned and run by Sinomine a Chinese mining conglomerate.
Displacements, intimidation, water grabbing, unfair labor practices, and human rights abuses are the defining characteristics of lithium mining in Zimbabwe.
The recent visit by THE WEEKLY team to Bikita unearthed debilitating environmental consequences associated with lithium extraction. It’s a tale of the dark side of the electrical revolution that is more than tarnishing rural horizons and environs.
It is upending livelihoods as locals used to know.
Water, the lifeblood of any community, has become a source of anguish for the people of Bikita. The extraction of lithium requires copious amounts of water, depleting local sources and leaving the community struggling to meet its basic needs.
In one village a local borehole which was a source of water for several families is no longer accessible as it has fallen in the vicinity of Bikita Minerals fenced off from livestock and villager leaving families parched. Once-vibrant farmlands have transformed into barren idle lands, and the community’s livelihoods have been left hanging by a thread.
Mountain Mujakachi, a member of the bereaved Bikita community who spoke to THE WEEKLY, says restricted access to clean sources of water is compounded by rampant water pollution in the area.
Mujakachi stated that the dam being constructed is leaking, resulting in contamination of the nearby Matezva dam. Additionally, he highlighted that water from the lithium mine is being dumped, leading to the contamination of another borehole close to the mine.
Dust clouds, like a relentless plague, shroud the once-clear skies of Bikita. The mining operations have unleashed a torrent of dust pollution, choking the lungs of the community’s inhabitants. The air they breathe is laden with toxic particles, causing respiratory ailments-children and the elderly are the most vulnerable, their frail bodies unable to withstand the assault on their health.
The deafening roar of machinery pierces the air day and night, drowning out the harmony of nature that once graced Bikita. Noise pollution has become an unwelcome companion, disrupting the peace and tranquillity that was once the hallmark of this close-knit community.
In the deafening drone of drilling and blasting sleepless nights, frayed nerves on end, have become the norm, as the relentless clamor of progress encroaches upon their lives.
The Chinese-owned mining company has also engaged in a brazen act of land grabbing, encroaching upon the ancestral lands of the Bikita community, internally displacing the locals.
Families have been uprooted from the land they have called home for generations, their heritage torn asunder for the sake of profit. The scars of these injustices run deep, leaving the community embittered and dispossessed.
Promises of community development and involvement have proven to be empty words. The wealth generated by the lithium mining industry has flowed into the coffers of foreign entities, while the Bikita community remains neglected and forgotten.
Mining has highlighted the sorry state of social service delivery with schools crumbling, healthcare facilities languish in disrepair, and essential services remain woefully inadequate. The hopes and dreams of the people have been eclipsed by a dark cloud of exploitation and the reality that communities will not benefit much from resources mined in their backyards.
To exacerbate the plight of the community, unfair employment and labor practices have become the norm. Local inhabitants are overlooked in favor of foreign workers, denying them the opportunity to benefit from the wealth drawn from their own land.
Exploitative working conditions and meagre wages further deepen the wounds inflicted upon the community, perpetuating a never-ending cycle of poverty and despair.
The time has come for the Government of Zimbabwe to take decisive action to rectify the injustices inflicted upon the Bikita community. Here are key actions and recommendations to address the dire situation:
Environmental Protection: Enforce stringent regulations to address water, dust, and noise pollution caused by mining operations. The government should establish monitoring systems to ensure compliance and hold the mining companies accountable for any violations.
Land Rights and Community Engagement: Protect the rights of the local community and ensure their active participation in decision-making processes concerning mining activities. The government should establish a transparent and inclusive mechanism for land allocation and compensation to safeguard the community’s heritage and promote social justice.
Community Development: Allocate a significant portion of mining revenues for the development of the Bikita community. Bikita Minerals should invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihood projects that empower the local population and foster long-term growth.
Employment and Labor Practices: Implement fair labour laws and regulations that protect the rights of workers, both local and foreign. The government should encourage the recruitment and training of local residents to enhance their employability and promote economic empowerment within the community.
Transparency and Accountability: Establish an independent oversight body to monitor the mining industry’s operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards. Regularly report on the industry’s impact on the Bikita community and address any grievances promptly.
Only through concerted efforts and a commitment to justice can the Bikita community reclaim its dignity and secure a future free from the shackles of exploitation. The Government of Zimbabwe holds the key to unlock the potential for positive change and ensure that the dark legacy of lithium mining is replaced with a brighter and more sustainable future.