Tendai Mange
CHIREDZI- The
Masvingo Provincial Mines directorate and other stakeholders recently visited
three unregistered mining sites in Sengwe where residents and outsiders have
been extracting amethyst gemstones for some time.
Masvingo Provincial Mines directorate and other stakeholders recently visited
three unregistered mining sites in Sengwe where residents and outsiders have
been extracting amethyst gemstones for some time.
The
Environmental Management Agency (Ema) and representatives of the Joint
Operations Command (Joc) were also part of the delegation which visited the
area.
Environmental Management Agency (Ema) and representatives of the Joint
Operations Command (Joc) were also part of the delegation which visited the
area.
Sources
said the miners were making a lot of money by selling the mineral on the informal
market thereby prejudicing the State of much-needed revenue.
said the miners were making a lot of money by selling the mineral on the informal
market thereby prejudicing the State of much-needed revenue.
The
sources said the miners where damaging the environment and endangering local people
and their livestock by digging deep trenches which they do not bother to cover.
sources said the miners where damaging the environment and endangering local people
and their livestock by digging deep trenches which they do not bother to cover.
“These
miners have just been digging pits which are now putting people and livestock’s
lives in danger. As is the case in every other informal mining area, the
environment is suffering because the miners do not act responsibly,” said one source.
miners have just been digging pits which are now putting people and livestock’s
lives in danger. As is the case in every other informal mining area, the
environment is suffering because the miners do not act responsibly,” said one source.
One
of the delegates who visited the sites revealed that that government was moving
with speed to take control of the area and regularise operations.
of the delegates who visited the sites revealed that that government was moving
with speed to take control of the area and regularise operations.
“Mines monitors are observing the sites right
now and miners are complying with the ministry to appoint a proper mining
manager. The ministry is also trying to find a way to make the miners submit to
government by the end of September part of the returns they have made so far,”
said the source.
now and miners are complying with the ministry to appoint a proper mining
manager. The ministry is also trying to find a way to make the miners submit to
government by the end of September part of the returns they have made so far,”
said the source.
