Mining communities living in resource rich areas are reeling under the impacts of Covid-19, which has exacerbated existing inequalities and vulnerabilities to unbearable levels, it has emerged.
This emerged at an annual Provincial Alternative Mining Indaba (PAMI) co-hosted by Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) where communities called for government to rein in increased illegal mining activities which have impacted negatively on their livelihoods.
Communities also called for devolution to counter lack of transparency in management of natural resources revenue, as such revenue could cushion local communities from the adverse economic and social impacts of the lockdown.
This year’s PAMI, ran under the theme ‘The impact of COVID-19 on the Extractive Sector: Amplifying community voices in fighting inequality and mining related injustices’, which resonated with community concerns over widening inequalities.
Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) and Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) cohosted the annual meet which drew participants from Mutasa, Chimanimani, Chipinge and Mutare district municipalities, Traditional leaders, government departments and Community Based Organisations.
The stakeholders also convened District and Ward Alternative Mining Indabas, as a precursor to the provincial meet, where discussions focused on ways of tackling inequality through proper management of mineral revenue.
Nyaradzo Mutonhori, ZELA senior legal officer said existing and widening inequalities in access to social services should ideally be bridged by subsidies generated, in part, by mineral resources revenue.
Mutonhori said revenue from the vast mineral endowments, if managed prudently can finance socio economic rights, and curb widening inequality, so poignantly felt in mining communities.
“The inequality disparities are already widening and have become more apparent because of Covid-19. However when we have these minerals, resource they should come and cover up these gaps.
“If mining revenue was channeled towards social services it would lessen burdens on communities.
“We have diamonds and several other minerals in Zimbabwe, if properly managed their revenue would finance the social and economic rights, right to education, health and right to water to be realised.,” said Mutonhori.
Abbie Musiyazviriyo of Marange Development Trust, a community based organization said the Covid 19 pandemic has further widened inequality gaps and pushed locals to join the legion of illegal artisanal miners.
