Gold panners polluting water bodies: EMA

Martha Leboho Herald Correspondent
Small-scale gold miners have been accused of rampant pollution countrywide amid reports that they were responsible for emitting more than 1 600 tonnes of mercury, mainly into water sources, every year. The development has jolted the Environmental Management Agency to venture into awareness campaigns highlighting dangers and the threat posed by mercury emitted by small-scale miners.

Speaking at a media briefing, EMA senior environmental education and publicity officer, Mr Rambwayi Mapako said incessant use of mercury posed a serious threat to the environment and human life.

“Small-scale gold mining is one of the major mercury release or emission source in Zimbabwe. It is estimated that the sector is responsible for over 1 600 tonnes of mercury emissions per year,” said Mr Mapako.

He said there was growing and widespread concern over the negative effects of mercury despite the role it plays in the production of metals and mining of gold.

“Mercury has negative effects on human health and environment, though the effects may be seen later in our offspring, but they are harmful to our future generations.

“Also, there is need for us to educate the small mining sector since they contribute about 53 percent of the country’s gold output annually, which is a big contribution that is critical to the country’s economic growth” said Mr Mapako.

EMA and Zimbabwe Mining Federation are working together to come up with sustainable and viable alternatives to adopt and reduce, limit or even eliminate mercury use while at the same time maintaining or increasing gold production levels.

Masvingo, Chivi and Gutu districts have high concentration of mercury in the province where use of the substance is rampant.

Zimbabwe signed the Minamata Convention in October 2013, which is a global treaty to protect human health and environment from the adverse effects of mercury.

Besides emitting mercury into rivers, small-scale gold miners also stand accused of rampant environmental degradation through the indiscriminate digging of shafts in search of the yellow metal.

The shafts, if not reclaimed, will result in siltation of rivers and dams in areas predominated by small-scale gold mining activities.