SPECIAL FEATURE: SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS OF MINING COMMUNITIES
In December 2015, Zimbabwe Peace Project in collaboration with Centre for Natural
Resources Governance commissioned a research on the socio-economic impacts of mining
on communities in Zimbabwe. The research particularly focused on Hwange. Below is a
passage adapted from the research’s findings.
Pollution due to coal mining activities in Hwange is taking place unabated. Assessment of
the extent of pollution has been done and reports produced by Environment Management
Agency (EMA) and National Social Security Authority (NSSA) but no action is being taken
to address the situation. At one time EMA Hwange indicated that it intended to take Hwange
Colliery to court regarding the environmental pollution once the EMA Board approves its
recommendations but no action has been taken to date. There appears to be no urgency on
the part of EMA to have the environmental impact problems addressed. This is really a cause
for concern given that EMA is the watch dog over environmental issues.
Chemicals released as a result of the coal mining operations have traces of metals which at
sufficient exposure levels adversely affect human health. Some of the metals are known to
cause cancer, pneumoconiosis and impairment of the normal development of children. Many
are also respiratory irritants that worsen the respiratory conditions leading to asthma. Yet the
Constitution in Chapter Four provides for every citizen’s Right to Health care. “Every citizen
and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has the right to have access to basic health care
services, including reproductive health-care services,” [75(1)].
There is also evidence of water pollution in the Deka River which can be seen by the change
in the physical state of water. Suspended coal particles can be seen floating in the water. The
water is contaminated with chemicals, oils and heavy metals which gives it a heavy smell and
makes it unpleasant to drink by both humans and animals.
The polluted water has a negative impact on the villagers’ agricultural livelihood as it retards
plant growth and in severe cases leads to permanent wilting of plants. Poor infiltration and
aeration in some soils caused by pollution from contaminated water make them not
conducive for crop growth. Fertile soil is therefore rendered unsuitable for agricultural
purposes.
Consumption of polluted water exposes livestock to high morbidity resulting in livestock
suffering from diseases such as anaemia, pneumonia and weight loss. The contaminated
water is also causing high mortality in livestock, wildlife and fish.
Hwange Colliery Company and its management do not care about the welfare of the workers
as evidenced by the dilapidated state of the workers’ houses. Sadly the workers are required
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