Tendai
Mange
Mange
Residents of Chiredzi and beyond are making money
through illegally mining a semi-precious stone called amethyst at an
unregistered mining site in Sengwe communal lands, TellZim News has learnt.
through illegally mining a semi-precious stone called amethyst at an
unregistered mining site in Sengwe communal lands, TellZim News has learnt.
There is a leakage of the mineral since last year and illegal
miners are informally selling the stone to foreigners.
miners are informally selling the stone to foreigners.
The unregulated mining activities are also said to be contributing to
serious environmental degradation.
serious environmental degradation.
Amethyst gemstones can be used for making jewelleries
and other special ornaments.
and other special ornaments.
A source who refused to be mentioned by name for
security reasons revealed that members of staff at the Ministry of Mines’ Masvingo
provincial offices were failing to respond to the issue as they do not have any
cars and fuel available to drive there.
security reasons revealed that members of staff at the Ministry of Mines’ Masvingo
provincial offices were failing to respond to the issue as they do not have any
cars and fuel available to drive there.
“We were told the office is facing transport
challenges so they cannot go to investigate the leakage but we heard they are
making contingency plans to visit the area,” said the source.
challenges so they cannot go to investigate the leakage but we heard they are
making contingency plans to visit the area,” said the source.
The source said the ministry last visited the site
sometime last year when they were registering some mines located in Sengwe
communal lands.
sometime last year when they were registering some mines located in Sengwe
communal lands.
No comment could be obtained from the provincial mines
directorate by the time of going to print.
directorate by the time of going to print.
