Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
KWEKWE is a well-known gold-rich area thanks to its geographical location atop the Great Dyke, which contains countless minerals.
However, instead of celebrating the gold as a blessing, Kwekwe seems to be experiencing more harm than good.
The face of the city doesn’t reflect that it has cosmic gold deposits but is instead marred with unreclaimed pits that have become a major threat to humanity.
Unco-ordinated illegal mining activities have become rampant in the town with illegal gold panners digging everywhere including the central business district (CBD) in search of the precious mineral.
Mining activities at Globe and Phoenix Mine, which is a stone’s throw away from the CBD, are threatening the town’s safety as some parts are almost caving in due to the destructive search for the yellow metal.
Infrastructure is under threat with schools, council property and houses near the mine also being susceptible.
The illegal mining activities are taking place in many other parts of the town where artisanal small-scale miners operate from.
The illegal gold mining activities have taken a toll on Globe and Phoenix Primary School with authorities contemplating relocating it given the danger faced by learners.
The school is reportedly precariously hanging on top of underground pits exposing both learners and teachers to danger.
The activities have since spread further north of the CBD where the illegal miners dug up an entire road including a round-about leaving the road impassable.
In the process, they also vandalised council valves and pumps disturbing the flow of water to residents and other parts of the town.
During a full council meeting recently, Kwekwe Town Clerk Dr Lucia Mnkandla decried the illegal mining activities saying the environmental damage was extensive.
“We have a serious challenge in Kwekwe with illegal gold panners who are digging up everywhere and, in the process, they vandalise council property. Recently, we had illegal panners digging up an entire road and destroying a roundabout. They almost destroyed a nearby house in search of the gold,” said Dr Mnkandla.
In some instances, the panners even vandalise sewer pipes as they use the effluent to “purify” their gold.
“I don’t know what is contained in the sewer effluent so much that they break sewer pipes to access the water that they use to clean their gold. They also break clean water pipes which they also use for their mining activities. Don’t forget that they use mercury in purifying their gold and it is also contaminating the water,” said Dr Mnkandla.
This has resulted in the water being unsafe for human consumption.
As a panacea, the local authority has engaged some professional miners who have equipment to help in the rehabilitation of the unreclaimed pits.
“We’ve engaged the services of Mr Shepherd Chawanda (popularly known as Magodora) an established miner in the town, who has the equipment that is needed like front-end loaders and excavators so that he can help rehabilitate the pits. He is our all-weather friend who has helped us before and he offered us assistance free of charge instead of us forking out thousands of dollars hiring equipment for the rehabilitation exercise,” said Dr Mnkandla.
Environment Management Agency (EMA) Midlands provincial spokesperson Mr Oswald Ndlovu said the illegal mining activities were threatening critical infrastructure around Kwekwe.
“All they care about is the gold and they disregard infrastructure to such an extent that they’re now digging up roads and other critical infrastructure. The situation is bad. It’s sad because they conduct most of their activities during the night which makes them dangerous even to other people,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said there was need for a multi-stakeholder approach to the situation as it cannot be addressed by one department.
“There is need for all stakeholders involved to play their role. I understand the place has since been fenced off and police are now protecting the area as it is undergoing rehabilitation. All other stakeholders also need to come and play their role especially Kwekwe City, they need to up their game on this one,” said Mr Ndlovu.
He said the gold in Kwekwe has become more of a curse than a blessing adding that if the mining was organised, it would be of more benefit to the town.
Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit chairperson and District Development Co-ordinator Mr Fortune Mpungu said the committee is seized with the matter.
“We’ve held several meetings with stakeholders including Ministry of Mines officials, EMA, Kwekwe City Council and the ZRP among others as we try to come up with strategies on a course of action. So far, we’ve agreed that police should man the area before further damage is done,” said Mr Mpungu.
He said while EMA had sent their report after an assessment, the Ministry of Mines was yet to submit their geo-survey report which will determine the course of action regarding Globe and Phoenix Primary School.
“Once we reconcile reports, we’ll then come up with an informed recommendation on the extent of damage and alleged underground pits and map a way forward for the school,” said Mr Mpungu.
He also echoed the same sentiments as Mr Ndlovu saying the gold deposits have become a curse for Kwekwe.
“If the mining activities are not organised, there’s going to be more harm than good as the illegal miners only think of their families and not the environment and infrastructure around them. Small-scale miners should be organised so that they give back to the community as authorities can easily account for them,” said Mr Mpungu.
His sentiments come at a time when Government is urging all small-scale miners to get registered so that they can conduct their operations in an organised manner, which also allows them to contribute towards economic development.
This is also in line with the National Development Strategy 1 initiated by the Second Republic, which advocates the rehabilitation of infrastructure such as roads as the country marches towards an upper middle-income economy by 2030.
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