SYDNEY MUBAIWA
HARARE- Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, Davis Marapira has warned that the country’s mining sector risks undermining future generations if profits continue to be prioritised over environmental sustainability.
Speaking during an ESG breakfast meeting organised by Mejrk Communications, Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Marapira said mining companies around the country must align their operations with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
“Some people claim to be miners, but they are environmental destructors. A lot of damage is done to our land, soils and rivers and this need to be corrected so that the future generations will live safely,” he said.
He said the most worrying factor is that the cost of environmental damage is far outweighing revenue inflows.
“I have heard about the US$1.3 billion that the country is getting from mining, then what about the negative impact? The damage is more than US$20 billion. You are telling us the country gets 1.3 billion of what, when the damage is far beyond that, endangering future generations,” he said.
He said it is the duty of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to safeguard the environment through charging fees mining companies who flaunt environmental rules and regulations.
“EMA is responsible for engaging mining companies to rehabilitate land affected by mining through charging miners. Before everyone start mining, he or she should start by paying an environmental damage fee of a certain percentage,” he said.
He urged mining companies to engage with communities through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
“Even when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility, nothing much is being done within our communities. I feel a lot needs to be done,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Polite Kambamura said rehabilitation and reclaiming of degraded land, cleaner technologies and tougher enforcement of environmental laws were now non-negotiable.
“This is a collective responsibility by mining companies to rehabilitate degraded land.
“The government through responsible authorities will make sure that laws are enforced to ensure that something is done in terms of rehabilitation. Traditional leaders, political leaders and institutions must all play their role,” he said.
He said government is pushing for mining companies to integrate renewable energy, improve waste management and fully comply with environmental impact assessments.
