New regulations crack down on mining damage

New regulations in Zimbabwe will see legally binding penalties for mining firms that neglect land rehabilitation or breach ecological regulations. Business Insider reports that the upcoming Responsible Mining Initiative part two, announced by Mines & Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, is intended to confront environmental damage more decisively, which may include 'loss of mining title’. His comments reflect rising public frustration over pollution, deforestation and harmful mining practices that have scarred communities across the country. Mining remains Zimbabwe’s most lucrative export sector, contributing more than 60% of foreign earnings through gold, platinum, and lithium production. However, decades of weak oversight have allowed both artisanal and industrial operators to leave behind polluted rivers, abandoned pits and degraded land. Local communities have repeatedly raised concerns about toxic waste, unsafe working conditions, and the absence of accountability. Civil society organisations have accused authorities of failing to enforce court rulings and protecting politically connected operators who continue to operate with minimal scrutiny. Chitando said the forthcoming framework will shift the sector from voluntary compliance to strict enforcement. It will strengthen co-ordination with the Environmental Management Agency and require miners to submit rehabilitation and mine-closure plans before any extraction can begin. The government says the reforms are intended to protect ecosystems and ensure that mining contributes to long-term national development rather than environmental decline.