Alluvial Mining Crackdown Nets 344 Arrests

Oscar J. Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

The Zimbabwean government has arrested 344 individuals nationwide as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal alluvial mining operations, officials announced.

The arrests follow the gazetting of Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024: Environmental Management (Control of Alluvial Mining) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No.3) on November 29, which introduced tougher penalties. These include the seizure of minerals, machinery, equipment, and vehicles used in unlawful mining activities.

This enforcement is part of a directive issued by the Cabinet on August 20, 2024, banning alluvial mining and launching a national river rehabilitation initiative. An inter-ministerial committee, led by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Dr. Anxious Jongwe Masuka, is spearheading the ban’s implementation and conducting assessments of river ecosystems to guide restoration efforts.

"The ban on alluvial mining has been implemented and enforced throughout the country. To date, a total of 344 arrests have been made," Dr. Masuka stated in a report. He emphasized the government's commitment to restoring river ecosystems and preventing further environmental degradation caused by illegal mining.

Authorities are conducting surveys to evaluate the state of rivers and formulate stricter measures to ensure compliance. The initiative also aims to balance environmental conservation with sustainable economic development.

Illegal alluvial mining, particularly in riverbeds, has caused extensive environmental damage in Zimbabwe, significantly impacting water quality and aquatic ecosystems. This crackdown is seen as a critical step in reversing these negative effects and safeguarding the country’s natural resources for future generations.