THE Zimbabwean government announced on Tuesday that it has renewed its ban on alluvial and riverbed mining in an effort to curb ongoing environmental degradation. Although the ban was initially imposed in 2020, illegal mining activities have persisted, leading to severe ecological damage across the country.
During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, stated that the Cabinet had reaffirmed its decision to ban all riverbed mining activities with immediate effect.
‘The Cabinet has observed that large-scale and mechanical alluvial mining, which began in 2011 in various rural provinces, has led to significant water pollution, siltation, river channel degradation, and the disruption of riverine ecosystems,’ Muswere explained.
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Anxious Masuka, who also chairs the interministerial committee on mining and the environment, emphasised that law enforcement agencies would intensify efforts to enforce the ban.
‘While we have the legal framework to regulate mining activities, including alluvial mining, there is a segment of illegal miners who exploit riverbeds without authorisation, whether as artisanal or mechanical miners,’ Masuka stated. ‘Our goal is to completely ban alluvial mining, and to achieve this, we will need to adequately resource the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies responsible for law enforcement.’
He further mentioned that stringent penalties, including the forfeiture of mining equipment, will be imposed on those who violate the ban.
The government’s renewed focus on preventing environmental damage caused by alluvial mining reflects its commitment to preserving Zimbabwe’s natural resources and ensuring that mining activities are conducted in a sustainable and legally compliant manner.
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