By Agencies
THE Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Task Force to end the menace being caused by illegal miners across the country.
The resolution was reached Tuesday after a presentation of the impact of illegal mining activities in Bindura as presented by the Local Government Minister , Daniel Garwe.
Unregulated urban mining has severely damaged local roads, railway tracks, residential plots, and public facilities within the Bindura Municipality. Alluvial gold panning along local waterways like the Mazowe River has heavily disrupted farming and polluted water sources
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 at Bindura Municipality and Bindura District Council has confirmed extensive illegal and unregulated mining activities occurring within residential areas, public infrastructure corridors and land designated for future urban expansion.
“This has resulted in the destruction of rail and road infrastructure, pollution of water sources, and an increase in diseases such as silicosis, tuberculosis, drug and substance abuse, and sexually transmitted infections,” Garwe said.
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. Government will also review the penalties and fines to make them more punitive for offenders and strictly enforce the law.
