Illegal mining, sand poaching top EMA stakeholders meeting in Bulawayo

ILLEGAL mining and sand poaching operations in and around Bulawayo are the top of the agenda today as stakeholders meet to deliberate on the environmental impacts of illegal mining in the region.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is convening the meeting, which is being attended by various stakeholders who include the Zimbabwe Republic Police, Forestry Commission, Bulawayo City Council and residents associations, among others.

Illegal gold panning in Bulawayo is rampant near Marvel sub-station at Queens Park East, around the National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo City Council gravel pits in Parklands and at Killarney Squatter Camp.

Sand poaching is being fueled mainly by increased construction work happening in the city. The practice is rife across the city in areas like Cowdray Park and Mazwi and Methodist Villages, among others.

Participants are expected to come up with recommendations on how this can be tackled as the illegal activities are a threat to infrastructure and the environment.

-@@themkhust