Advocacy group, Silveira House, has launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at promoting responsible mining practices in the Mberengwa District, in response to the negative impacts of artisanal mining activities in the area.
The initiative seeks to educate local communities about sustainable mining practices, addressing the growing concerns over land degradation, water pollution, and abandoned mining pits, which have become deadly traps for both humans and livestock.
Mberengwa Ward 1 Councillor, Alfred Mutabvure, stressed the importance of miners taking responsibility for rehabilitating mining sites.
“It’s imperative that miners close their pits after extraction to prevent further loss of life and protect the environment,” Mutabvure stated.
Echoing this, Carliot Mpofu, Secretary for the Sub Environment Committee, pointed out the significant environmental and social repercussions of unregulated mining activities.
“The degradation of land, contamination of water sources, and a decrease in livestock production are critical issues that require urgent action,” Mpofu remarked.
The responsible mining initiative by Silveira House is set to foster a more sustainable approach to mining in Mberengwa, aiming to safeguard the livelihoods of local communities while protecting the environment.
