Source: Ema seeks to stop riverbed mining at Umzingwane river | Sunday News (local news)

Bongani Ndlovu, Sunday News Correspondent
THE Environmental Management Agency (Ema) is concerned with damage caused by riverbed mining, at the confluence of Insiza and

Umzingwane rivers in Matabeleland South saying that poses serious health risks for people downstream and those who the rivers supply with water.

“We are worried about communities downstream and this mining is associated with the use of mercury and we have such big numbers in such a place, with no toilets or anything. We have the reservoir that supplies Collen Bawn Town, West Nicholson and surrounding areas both affected,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Environmentalists say mercury affects the body’s nervous system and may lead to pregnant mothers giving birth to deformed babies.

“This place which is in the confluence of Insiza and Umzingwane River has been seriously degraded by illegal miners where shafts measuring between 30 to 50 metres have been dug in the river bed. There are more than 15 shafts which is a massive degradation of the environment, threatening the weir that provides water to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (catchment area), which is just in the vicinity downstream,” said Mr Ndlovu.

He added that Ema was in the process of rehabilitating the area. He encouraged illegal miners to register with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.