Senator Nonhlanhla Mlotshwa has expressed concern over abandoned mine pits in some parts of Matabeleland South, Midlands and Mashonaland West, saying they are posing a danger to people, domestic animals and wildlife.
The Matabeleland South senator made the remarks during a question and answer session in the National Assembly while asking questions to Mines and Mining Development deputy minister responsible for Oil and Gas Research and other Strategic Mineral Exploration, Caleb Makwiranzou.
She said the peak of the rainy season had seen an increasing number of children, livestock and elderly people falling into disused mine pits, particularly in Matabeleland South, Midlands and Mashonaland West.
Mlotshwa said: “What immediate and long-term measures is the government taking to compel mining companies to close, protect, rehabilitate or fence open pits and to criminalise non-compliance?”
Makwiranzou acknowledged that there are a number of mine ponds that had formed after the rains started falling.
“We are now working with Ema [Environmental Management Agency] to try and make sure that we do not have these open excavations. Some of these open excavations were being worked on previously, and they had not been closed yet. The idea was that if they can be made safe, we can resume mining next season after the rains,” he said.
Makwiranzou said the government had issued a warning to both small-scale and large-scale
miners to make sure that their operations are safe so that no accidents occur.
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“Also, they must reduce the amount of underground work this rainy season,” he said.
In a supplementary question, Mlotshwa inquired whether the government will take responsibility for loss of lives and property in communities where pits are left open by unlicensed miners.
Makwiranzou said the government had provincial mining directors leading a team of inspectors who were supposed to inspect and wherever there are dangerous excavations or mines, they should be closed until they are safe.
“So, government policy is that we should have responsible and safe mining and we are trying to make sure this happens,” he said.
On efforts by government to criminalise acts of defiance, Makwiranzou said the police were responsible for enforcing laws which dealt with criminal activities.
“So, whenever we feel that there needs to be enforcement, we inform the police. We have no capacity as a ministry to actually take people to court,” he said.
