By Memory Mudzani
Mining sector is extremely energy intensive and one of the major emitters of greenhouse gases and it has contributed to a greater extend in exacerbating the effects of climate change. In an interview with Tapiwa Chimbadzwa a climate change expert he told this publication that artisinal mining in Zimbabwe has become a very significant sector of the economy, employing quite a huge number of young people with an estimate of around 500, 000 people but it has contributed to the effects of climate change due to the way it is done.
Chimbadzwa said that artisanal mining often involves use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide which have detrimental effects on the environment and human health. Mbizo constituency member of Parliament Corban Madzivanyika added to what Chimbadzwa said when he told this reporter that mining has contributed in destroying the environment in his area as there is a larger population of artisanal miners in Kwekwe who are Operating illegally and this has resulted in deforestation as mining on its own nature it created deforestation. Madzivanyika further said that mining in kwekwe especially the one practiced by illegal artisanal miners who dig deep pits and after collecting their gold staff they left these pits unattended, resulting in land degradation due to erosion and later on the society experience deforestation. Chimbadzwa also said that artisanal mining has led to deforestation in most parts of the country destroying the national carbon sinks thus leading to an increase of greenhouse gas emissions, reduced oxygen levels, exacerbating the effects of climate change and in essence this derails the Zimbabwe Nationally Determined Contributions target of reducing emissions by 40% by 2030. One of the artisanal miners who identified himself as Zacks said that though he didn’t understand much about climate change, artisanal mining appear to be like a curse because of its lack of regulation, which has ushered in a number of negative consequences for both the environment and people because if the environment is damaged people are likely to experience low rainfall and he is suggesting that as artisanal miners they need to be trained so they will be able to protect their environment.
Chimbadzwa said that there should be promotion of sustainable mining practices therefore encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices such as reclamation, restoration of mining sites, responsible waste management and water conservation measures. He also said that government should work on providing technical assistance and training to artisanal miners as to improve their mining practices, encouraging use of cleaner energy, and environmentally friendly equipment as to minimize carbon emissions. We tried to reach out to ministry of mines, they didn’t reply before the time of publication.
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