Cabinet has adopted a Whole-of-Government approach to curb rampant illegal mining activities in Bindura Municipality and Bindura Rural District Council, including the establishment of a national task force.
Speaking during today’s Post Cabinet Briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Soda Zhemu, said the expansion of mining activities in urban and peri-urban areas without adequate planning and inter-agency coordination had become a major national concern.
“The expansion of mining operations within urban and peri-urban areas without adequate planning and inter-agency coordination is increasingly generating severe environmental, social and infrastructural challenges.
An assessment undertaken in Bindura Municipality and Bindura Rural District Council revealed extensive illegal and unregulated mining activities taking place within residential areas, public infrastructure corridors and land earmarked for future urban expansion,” he added.
Beyond the environmental impact, Cabinet noted that illegal mining has contributed to a rise in public health challenges in affected areas.
“The assessment highlighted an increase in diseases such as silicosis and tuberculosis, as well as growing cases of drug and substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections linked to mining settlements,” Dr Zhemu noted.
In response, Cabinet resolved to establish a national task force that will coordinate interventions across Government ministries, departments and agencies to tackle illegal mining activities more effectively.
“Accordingly, Cabinet resolved to adopt a Whole-of-Government approach and to appoint a Task Force to deal with the problem at the national level,” said Dr Zhemu.
He added that Government would review the existing penalties and fines for illegal mining activities to ensure they are more punitive and serve as an effective deterrent to offenders.
“Government will also review the penalties and fines to make them more punitive for offenders and strictly enforce the law,” he said.
The latest intervention signals Government’s determination to address the growing threat posed by illegal mining, which has increasingly encroached on residential communities and public infrastructure, while safeguarding the environment, public health and orderly urban development across the country.
