An assessment of the impact of mining on the environmental rights in Zimbabwe: the case of Mapanzure in Zvishavane, Midlands Province 2009 -2017

Abstract

This study examined the impact of mining on the environmental rights of the people of the Mapanzure area in Zvishavane. Zvishavane district is located along the great Dyke belt, which is a hub to many valuable minerals such as chrome, diamonds, platinum and gold. The abundance of mineral deposits has attracted many mining companies to establish their operations in the area. Illegal artisanal miners are also dominant in the area. Mapanzure community is one of the areas that have been mostly impacted by mining in Zvishavane. Mining activities have violated different environmental rights of the people such as the right to clean and safe water, the right to a safe and sustainable environment and the right to environmental information. A sample of forty respondents was selected using purposive sampling. The target research population comprised of the local community members, local traditional leadership, government officials as well as the miners themselves. The data were collected through interviews, participant observation and questionnaires. The results revealed that mining is indeed infringed the fundamental rights of the people as evidenced by the violation of the right to a safe and sustainable environment, right to environmental information and ecological degradation. Many people lost their means of living due to land degradation and depletion of grazing land as the livelihoods of most locals were dependant on agriculture and livestock.