Government to monitor compliance by mining companies

GOVERNMENT will increase its surveillance on mining operations to ensure compliance with the standard health and safety precautions to enhance protection of workers amid concerns that some mining companies were exposing workers to occupational hazards while degrading the environment.

Stakeholders in the mining industry met Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, in Gweru yesterday to discuss these pressing issues with a focus on land degradation and non-compliance with mining safety regulations.

In his remarks Minister Ncube said the time for flouting mining regulations was over and warned that tough measures will be taken to deal with errant behaviour.

“The growth of the mining sector has its fair share of unintended outcomes that negatively affect sustainable mining,” he said.

“Provisions of Statutory Instruments such as SI 109 of 1990, Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations, which provide for establishment and submission of survey maps, as well as underground plans to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development have been violated.

“Miners should avoid buying explosives from unregistered suppliers and desist from using these explosives without adhering to standard safety procedures.”

Minister Ncube said the provision of protective clothing for mining workers is both a safety and regulatory requirement, which miners should always comply with.

“With regards to the provisions of the Mining (Health and Sanitation) Regulations, all miners are advised to ensure provision of clean water, ablution facilities and provide health services to all employees in compliance with the tenets of our national vision of an upper middle income society earlier than 2030,” he said.

“In light of the above, there is no compromise in the provision of social infrastructure and services in mining areas.”

Minister Ncube said since the inception of the Second Republic, devolution and decentralisation now underpin development of critical infrastructure like housing, roads, boreholes, dams, and power generation.

“I urge the mining sector to emulate the Government by providing decent housing, ablution facilities, quality roads, water reticulation and recreational facilities for their workers and communities in their areas of operation,” he said.

“Corporate social responsibility should address local community needs and problems to make it sustainable and mutually beneficial.”

Government has already taken a strong stance to ensure that mining activities are conducted responsibly and sustainably, a move that Ncube said is expected to improve working conditions, mitigate environmental impacts, and promote accountability in the mining sector.

“The era of leaving open pits must come to an end. We will be visiting all the mining entities beginning next month to check on compliance. I am also told that some mining companies have to remit the necessary taxis to local authorities,” he said.

“This must come to an end. I, therefore, urge EMA to descend heavily on those who do not comply. Those who are in violation will have their licences revoked.”

Zimbabwe Miners Federation vice president, Mr Marufu Sithole, spoke on the importance of engagement, which he said has opened their eyes, as it will result in a proactive approach in addressing challenges in the sector.

“The minister’s statement is a wake-up call for us miners to deliver on what is expected of us. From now on, we are springing to action as we will address some of the issues raised, which are pertinent.

“Our workers indeed stay in deplorable conditions with no proper ablution facilities, and this should be addressed like yesterday,” he said.

Miners for ED vice chairperson, Ms Florence Mbizo, weighed in saying they would engage fellow miners to ensure proper mining takes place while addressing workers’ welfare as well.

“We are happy we have met with our minister and he has guided us. Starting tomorrow, we will engage in a series of meetings with our members on proper mining activities,” she said.

“It’s now game on and I want to promise our minister that everything is now in order as we prepare to get our mining right. The minister said he will visit us, and we are ready to welcome him and show him progress on what we have achieved.”

Ms Mbizo said the mineral-rich Midlands province has witnessed massive land degradation due to irresponsible mining activities, amid indications that land reclamation efforts are not matching the destruction on the ground.

“Mining activities have led to the destruction of vegetation and soil erosion, resulting in land degradation and loss of fertile land, contamination of water sources, posing a risk to both human and animal health and soil pollution, as chemicals used in mining have polluted the soil, making it unsuitable for agricultural use,” she said.