mbulelo smpofu
Sikhulekelani Moyo, mskhulekelani16@gmail.com
GOVERNMENT has launched a US$23,7 million initiative aimed at reducing , a sector that significantly contributes to mercury pollution globally.
The five-year planetGOLD Zimbabwe project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), is being executed in partnership with the international non-profit organisation IMPACT and the Government.
According to planetGOLD, the project seeks to improve the health and livelihoods of local mining communities by reducing mercury use in artisanal mining, the largest source of mercury emissions worldwide. Zimbabwe joins a global programme implemented in 25 countries.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project aims to directly benefit 7 500 artisanal miners in 11 districts in Zimbabwe, reducing mercury use by 4,85 tonnes. It also seeks to promote the formalisation of the artisanal gold mining sector, increase miners’ access to finance, facilitate the adoption of mercury-free technologies and establish responsible and traceable gold supply chains.
During the official launch on November 14 in Harare, stakeholders gathered for an inception workshop to discuss the project’s implementation and how it will contribute to creating a more sustainable artisanal gold mining sector.
In his keynote address, acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Mr Edward Samuriwo, said Zimbabwe is committed to the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The country ratified the convention in 2021 and has committed to implementing its National Action Plan to eliminate mercury use in artisanal gold mining.
IMPACT deputy executive director, Mr Yann Lebrat, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the project’s role in fostering sustainable change.
“Through the launch of the planetGOLD project, Zimbabwe moves towards more responsible artisanal gold mining. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to create a sustainable change in the sector,” he said.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) chief executive officer, Mr Wellington Takavarasha, praised the initiative, saying there is a need for awareness about the dangers of mercury and available alternatives among small-scale miners.
“We are grateful for this move because many countries are going green and the use of mercury has been a topical issue the world over. So far, nine countries have benefited from this project with Zimbabwe becoming the 10th,” said Mr Takavarasha.
“Awareness will help miners transition to alternatives, especially as mercury production is expected to cease globally in the next decade.”
Mercury is a toxic chemical used to extract gold from ore. It poses severe health risks, including damage to the lungs, skin, and eyes, and can bio-accumulate in the food chain, affecting ecosystems far from its source.
In Zimbabwe, over 300 000 people work in artisanal gold mining, which contributes more than 40 percent of the country’s mineral exports. However, 96 percent of artisanal gold mining sites use mercury, releasing over 24 tonnes of the chemical annually.
Miners often work without protective equipment, exposing them to toxic fumes.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project aims to address these challenges by providing resources, technology, and education to artisanal miners, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable mining sector. — @SikhulekelaniM1
