Andrew
GOVERNMENT is satisfied with the rate at which companies mining black granite in Mutoko, Mashonaland East Province, are complying with environmental regulations.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA)’s regular inspections are driving miners to comply with developing Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) plans.
The EIA is a legal requirement in Zimbabwe in terms of the Environmental Management Act as read with Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007.
It is a tool used to define, quantify and evaluate the potential and known impacts of human activities on ecosystems at the earliest stage of project development.
In Zimbabwe, projects that require EIAs include mining, quarrying and housing development.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Mashonaland East education and publicity officer Astus Mabwe told New Ziana that all companies operating in Mutoko now have EIA certificates and all relevant licences.
At least 10 companies extract black granite in Mutoko, namely Natural Stone, CRG, Zimbabwe International Quarry, Ilford Red and Enterprises.
“Granite mining companies in Mutoko have been forthcoming in terms of compliance with the EMA Act. All of the companies operating in the district now have EIA certificates and all relevant licenses that are issued by the agency in terms of the Act. As EMA, we continue to do monitoring inspection to check on any deviations from license
conditions,” Mabwe said.
It is estimated that 150 000 tonnes of black granite are produced annually in Zimbabwe, with Mutoko contributing 75 percent of that output, which is exported to countries such as China, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Germany.
Concerns have, however, been raised about failure by players to add value to the stone before exporting it. – New Ziana
Online Reporter