By Amanda Mavhaza
Mining is the backbone of the country’s economy and a top foreign currency earner; however, it poses a serious challenge of leaving behind a trail of destruction on the environment, hence miners have been urged to protect it and biodiversity.
Indeed, miners have been encouraged to adopt less destructive methods of exploration in an effort to curb the negative effects mining deals to the environment.
According to the Training Handbook for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners in Zimbabwe, published by Pact, measures to mitigate negative mining effects on land and biodiversity should be instituted.
“Mineral exploration is finite. Land use activity and each operation should close at some point in the future.
“Restoration of the ecology to its normal state post-mine closure or mining continues. Therefore, calls for appropriate environmental rehabilitation to reinstate ecosystem functionality and land productivity comprises planting of vegetation as well as re-introducing animals that used to occupy the area before mining commenced”.
Environmental rehabilitation is a legal requirement that every miner should adhere to as enshrined in the Environmental Management Act (20:27):
“During the mineral exploration phase, land should be cleared and top soil removed as the drill rigs maneuver to the potential mine sites where initial work is used to gather data that defines the extents and qualities of the ore body.
“Similarly, to define alluvial mineral deposits, massive pitting and trenching exercises leave deep excavations that not only scar the landscape but also pose a threat to humans and animals. Mining indisputably has dire effects on biodiversity, as removal of vegetation negatively impacts the natural ecosystem if not managed well”.
Some of the notable harmful effects of mining on the landscape and biodiversity include siltation, loss of vegetation, ground subsidence, and biodiversity losses.
