Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
GOVERNMENT has ordered chrome miners along Shurugwi-Zvishavane Highway to immediately start reclaiming open pits they left after extraction of the mineral and stop mining close to highway shoulders.
Chrome mining operations have been threatening to damage the highway and endanger lives of humans and animals due to unplanned extraction.
Since the surge in chrome prices on the world market, there has been an increase in the extraction of the mineral along the road, a development that has seen excavators and front-end loaders being used by miners just a few metres from the Shurugwi-Zvishavane highway.
The development has also upset motorists who fear loss of life in the event of accidents as a result of damaged infrastructure.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavima, and senior Government officials toured the highway last Wednesday.
The minister said chrome mining activities should be guided by set mining rules and regulations. After touring the place, Minister Mavima said the miners must employ safe methods and avoid degrading the environment.
“Chrome mining has attracted a lot of miners because of the surge in prices on the world market.
“However after touring operations along Shurugwi-Zvishavane highway I have seen that some have been mining along or too close to the road thereby threatening this road,” he said.
“Mining should take place 70 metres away from the road shoulders left and right. Those mining within 70 metres must stop.
“Everyone here must be registered and you must also reclaim the pits left after extraction.
“The problem comes when people and animals fall into the pits and therefore the need for you to reclaim them and also avoid land degradation.”
The minister implored the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to make sure that all miners conduct mining activities using correct methods.
The tour was attended by officials from Runde Rural District Council, EMA, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials, Government department heads and small-scale miners.
In March, 64 miners were fined over $2 000 by EMA for environmental degradation and failing to reclaim pits left after the extraction of chrome.
derick.khumalo