Zimbabwe Bans Riverbed Alluvial Mining to Protect Environment

In a significant move aimed at environmental protection, Zimbabwe has imposed an immediate ban on riverbed alluvial mining. The decision, announced by Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, could have far-reaching implications for the country’s gold mining sector.

Key Points:

1. The ban takes effect immediately, with enforcement measures to be implemented to ensure compliance.
2. Large scale and mechanical alluvial mining, allowed since 2011, has led to water pollution, siltation, and degradation of river channels.
3. Over 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold is produced by small-scale miners, many of whom rely on riverbed mining.
4. A similar ban was issued in 2020 but was never fully enforced.

Environmental Concerns

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere highlighted the environmental damage caused by riverbed mining during the cabinet briefing. The practice has resulted in:

• Water pollution
• Siltation of rivers
• Degradation of river channels

These environmental impacts have prompted the government to take this decisive action.

Impact on Gold Production

The ban could significantly affect Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector:

• Small-scale miners, who produce over 60% of the country’s gold, often rely on riverbed mining.
• In the period from January to July 2024, Zimbabwe produced 17,279.4 kilograms of gold, up from 16,855.4 kilograms in the same period last year.

Previous Attempts and Enforcement

This is not the first time Zimbabwe has attempted to ban riverbed mining:

• A similar ban was issued in 2020 but was never fully enforced.
• The current announcement emphasizes that enforcement measures will be put in place to ensure compliance.

Looking Ahead

As Zimbabwe implements this ban, several questions arise:

1. How will the government support small-scale miners who depend on riverbed mining for their livelihoods?
2. What alternative mining methods will be promoted to maintain gold production levels?
3. How will the enforcement of this ban differ from the previous attempt in 2020?

The coming months will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of this ban and its impact on both the environment and Zimbabwe’s gold mining industry.

Source: ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.