Abstract
This paper examines the impact of artisanal small-scale mining on the environmental rights of communities in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. All over the world, mining has been significant in enhancing the livelihoods of the people by reducing poverty and ensuring food security. Despite its major contribution to economic growth and development, mining is responsible for environmental degradation. The environmental rights of many indigenous communities in Zimbabwe are violated by small-scale mining operations. Zvishavane is one of the marginalized communities in Zimbabwe where all types of mining activities are taking place as the district is located along the Great Dyke mineral belt. The dominant mining entities in the district are artisanal small-scale miners exploiting gold and chrome. Given the low capitalization that characterizes artisanal small-scale miners, the degree to which these entities comply with the country's legislation on environmental protection becomes very doubtful. The study was conducted through interviews and focus group discussions with key informants in the Mapanzure community in Zvishavane. The findings of this study highlight that artisanal small-scale chrome and gold miners are largely responsible for the contamination of water sources, land degradation, excessive air pollution and deforestation, which exposes mining communities in Zvishavane to health hazards such as cholera, bilharzia, asthma and cirrhosis. Findings of this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners on sustainable mining in marginalized communities. Keywords: Mining, Environmental rights, Artisanal small-scale miners and Zvishavane District DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-8-06 Publication date: August 31 st 2020
Highlights
Mining significantly contributes to the development of Zimbabwe and continues to bring much-needed income (Kaseke et al, 2015; Murombo, 2013)
7.1 The scope and dynamics of environmental rights and artisanal small-scale mining in Zvishavane 7.1.1 Land degradation Land degradation is an irrefutable environmental impact related to the different phases of mining operations in Zvishavane (ZELA, 2011)
Through focus group discussions held, some community members blamed big companies for degrading the environment. They overlooked the part played by artisanal small-scale mining in destroying the environment citing that mining is their livelihood pathway. It is this kind of justification that had propelled the impact of artisanal mining on the environment because of the absence of checks and balances on the part of artisanal small-scale miners. 7.1.2 Deforestation Large tracks of land are cleared away during the preparation of mining activities by small-scale miners in Mapanzure
Summary
Mining significantly contributes to the development of Zimbabwe and continues to bring much-needed income (Kaseke et al, 2015; Murombo, 2013). In 2019, artisanal small-scale mining contributed 63 % of the total gold delivered to the Fidelity Printers and Refiners in Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), 2020). Many mining activities have occurred in Zvishavane, ranging from small-scale to large-scale mining companies (ZELA, 2011). Artisanal smallscale miners both legal and illegal are dominant in exploiting mineral deposits (Kaseke et al, 2015). Mapuranga (2020) argues that the number of formal artisanal miners is above 35 000 in Zimbabwe whilst over one million mines illegally. The government of Zimbabwe is delaying to formalise artisanal miners which exacerbate illegal mining (Mapuranga, 2020)
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