Empowerment group to hold granite extraction workshop

Mutoko from June 30 to July 1.
In a statement, Budja Environment Conservation Trust project manager Mr Dolorosa Mubvumbi said the workshop would focus on the extraction of granite particularly in Mutoko.
“This is the first Mutoko all-stakeholders workshop to be held and is a follow-up to the Mutoko chiefs’ call to discuss the issues emanating from the extraction of black granite, black granite proceeds distribution to the communities and lack of meaningful development in the area.
“The forum is also expected to come up with a strategy on how the district can be saved from massive land degradation being caused by granite extraction without any meaningful benefit to the community, the natural custodians of that particular area,” he said.
The forum is being organised by Streetwise Abantu in partnership with ZELA and the International Social Responsibility Group in their endeavour to reclaim and rehabilitate the damaged environment in the area.
It is expected to draw participants in Mutoko from miners, traditional leaders, Government officials and some non-governmental organisations.
This meeting comes at a time when the nation is on a drive to exploit mineral reserves while benefiting communities in the process.