Gold hunters invade Christmas Pass Mountain

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE resurgence of illegal gold mining operations in the Christmas Pass Mountain has ignited outrage among residents living at the foot of the landmark, who fear devastating mudslides if above-normal rainfall occurs, contamination of Mutare’s drinking water supply, and environmental damage of monumental proportions.
Any mining activity in the mountain poses a direct threat to hundreds of residents in the Toronto area, the Hillcrest Group of Schools, and—should operations expand—nearby suburbs such as Fairbridge and Murambi.
Although much of the mining is reported to take place under the cover of night, The Manica Post observed heavy machinery in use during the day, activities that appeared to be disguised as “rehabilitation works.”
Chairperson of the Greater Toronto Residents Association, Mr Shepherd Mvundura said: “They have started mining again. The rehabilitation that was said to be in progress was not done at all. On the contrary, people have started mining again.
“The machinery has gone up the mountain. Even the procedure to inform the community of what is happening was not followed. We were actually in the process to placing boom gates at all the entry points, and boom they have invaded the place again.
“We are deeply troubled about these developments, and we seek the assistance of the powers that be to assist us. We cannot surely leave this madness going on in daylight.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza confirmed that his office is seized with the matter.
“I am currently working on the issue,” said Advocate Mugadza.
Manicaland Provincial Mining Director, Miss Sibongubuhle Mpindiwa said all mining operations around the Christmas Pass area were suspended, and if any are ongoing they are illegal.
“Our understanding is that all mining operations around the Christmas Pass area were suspended, and if any mining activities are ongoing they are illegal.
“However, upon going onto the ground after receiving reports of illegal mining activities, we gathered that the people operating there have a rehabilitation licence from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). So you may get a comprehensive comment from EMA,” said Ms Mupindiwa.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Provincial Education and Publicity Officer, Mrs Alice Rutsvara, admitted that a rehabilitation order was issued in the Toronto area, following illegal mining operations at the site without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Agency.
Mrs Rutsvara said the rehabilitation works were stopped and they are now investigating on the alleged gold mining night operations in line with the precautionary principle.
“The Agency confirms that it issued a rehabilitation order to Calverhouse (Pvt) Ltd in Toronto area, following illegal mining operations at the site without an EIA from the Agency.
“The order directed that all the degraded area be rehabilitated to the satisfaction of the Agency. Reports of alleged illegal mining operations at night during the rehabilitation process has precipitated the Agency to issue another environmental protection order, directing provisional stoppage of all works to allow investigations on the alleged night operations in line with the precautionary principle.
“Investigations are currently underway to establish the full facts surrounding these allegations. It is important to note that the rehabilitation work was being conducted under a directive (order) issued by the Agency to the landowner.
“As the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), we will continue to carry out monitoring inspections to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27), adopting a whole-of-government approach,” said Mrs Rutsvara.
Apparently, this is not the first time that gold mining operations have been reported in the Christmas Pass Mountain.
On the northern side of Christmas Pass Mountain, facing Hillcrest College, Toronto and other private properties, deep holes have been tunnelled and some tanks constructed from underground, all for gold mining purposes.
Residues of cyanide and other chemicals used in gold mining operations are visible on the ground in the area.
Sadly, the lush green slopes of the Christmas Pass Mountain and its thick woodland are fast giving way to gouges of red soil, and gaping cuts etched into the mountain’s back.
The scars are visible even from afar, crawling dangerously close to the telecommunications towers perched above Hillcrest Colleges along the Christmas Pass mountain range.