Illegal Mining Continues Unabated in Zvishavane

By Nyasha B Dube

Zvishavane – Small-scale and artisanal miners operating in Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Mberengwa say they resort to illegal mining because the government was taking time to issue them with mining licenses.

They said although the government had also banned chrome mining along the Shurugwi-Zvishavane highway, the economic situation had left them with no choice but to resort to illegal mining.

The government suspended small-scale mining for those working along the highway until such a time proper mining methods were applied.

Responding to the complaints by the miners, Midlands Province Mining Director, Nelson Munyanduri told VoteWatch263 that the mines ministry was seized with the matter.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Midlands Province, Larry Mavhima says he is impressed by the progress of the land reclamation programme along the Shurugwi-Zvishavane highway. He paid tribute to mining companies and the community around the area for the work they had done to restore the environment.

“A lot still needs to be done to restore sanity in the area along the highway. The problem comes when people and animals start falling into the pits caused by irresponsible mining. More reclamation still has to be done,” said Mavhima.