The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has urged communities living around mining areas to remain vigilant as continued rainfall increases the risk of environmental pollution linked to poorly managed mining operations.
EMA Midlands Provincial Education and Publicity Officer, Mr Oswald Ndlovu, said heavy rains significantly heighten the likelihood of mining chemicals and effluent being washed into surrounding land and water sources if safety measures are not strictly observed.
Speaking to Great Dyke News in Gweru, Ndlovu warned that unmanaged chemicals and effluent pose a serious threat to community health, livestock and ecosystems during the rainy season.
“When it rains, the danger of spillages increases significantly. If chemicals and effluent are not properly stored and controlled, they can spread into the environment and expose nearby communities,” he said.
Ndlovu explained that rainfall can cause effluent ponds to overflow and weaken containment structures, allowing hazardous substances to seep into rivers, grazing land and underground water sources. Such contamination can result in waterborne diseases, livestock deaths and long-term soil degradation.
He stressed that miners have a legal and moral responsibility to take extra precautions during the rainy season, including secure storage of mining chemicals, proper containment and treatment of effluent, and fencing off mining sites to prevent access by animals and the public.
EMA said these measures are critical in reducing accidental exposure to hazardous substances and limiting environmental damage, particularly in mining-intensive regions such as the Midlands Province.
Globally, poorly managed mining waste during periods of heavy rainfall has resulted in devastating environmental and human consequences. In Brazil, the 2019 Brumadinho tailings dam collapse released millions of cubic metres of mining waste, killing more than 270 people and contaminating rivers for hundreds of kilometres. Similarly, in Zambia, acid mine effluent spills into the Kafue River in recent years have disrupted water supplies, killed fish and affected thousands of downstream users.
Closer to home, Zimbabwe has previously recorded incidents where artisanal and small-scale mining activities have polluted rivers, affecting communities that rely on surface water for domestic use, irrigation and livestock.
Ndlovu said EMA is intensifying awareness campaigns and compliance monitoring across the province, particularly during the rainy season when the risk of pollution is significantly higher.
He warned that negligence in managing mining chemicals and effluent can have long-lasting consequences for both people and ecosystems, adding that the agency will not hesitate to enforce environmental regulations against offenders.
Communities in mining areas are also being encouraged to report suspected pollution incidents promptly, as authorities work to minimise environmental harm and safeguard public health during the ongoing rains.
