By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE — Women’s participation in mining governance and people-centred development came under the spotlight in Mutare, as community leaders raised concerns over alleged cyanide pollution of rivers, illegal mining at Christmas Pass Mountain and the impact of mining activities on essential services.
The concerns emerged during discussions linked to the Inclusive Community Action for Accountable Mining project launched by Zivai Community Empowerment Trust (ZICET), in partnership with the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) last week in Mutare.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the participation of women and young people in natural resource governance, ensuring that communities have a meaningful role in decisions affecting their livelihoods, the environment and local development.
While women’s empowerment was a central theme, participants emphasised that meaningful development in mining communities also requires environmental protection, improved public infrastructure and collective action to address challenges associated with mining activities.
Mutasa councillor Joseph Musambidzi said illegal mining at Christmas Pass Mountain was affecting surrounding communities, adding that the matter had reached Parliament.
“The issue of Christmas Pass Mountain is affecting us in our area. The matter is now in Parliament, but we are urging every citizen to fight against illegal mining at Christmas Pass Mountain,” Musambidzi said.
He called for a united approach to addressing the problem, warning that the effects of pollution could extend to communities far beyond the immediate mining areas.
“We need collective action. People downstream are also affected by cyanide,” he said.
His concerns highlight the importance of protecting water sources and ensuring that mining activities are conducted in ways that safeguard communities and the environment.
Councillor Tapiwa Kapichi of Mutasa Constituency said mining had yet to deliver meaningful development benefits to communities, pointing to deteriorating infrastructure and social challenges.
“There are no positive results from mining so far. Everything has deteriorated — schools, clinics and roads are in bad shape,” Kapichi said.
She also raised concerns about early child marriage, highlighting the broader social challenges facing communities where mining takes place.
Her remarks underscored the need for mining activities to contribute to tangible improvements in people’s lives, including better public infrastructure, access to essential services and opportunities for social and economic development.
At the local authority level, Mutare City Council Councillor Gift Kadozora warned that mining activities at Christmas Pass Mountain could pose risks to residents of the city, particularly if landslides occurred.
“Christmas Pass mining is also a danger to people in Mutare. If landslides take place above, Mutare residents will be badly affected,” Kadozora said.
He also highlighted concerns over the protection of Mutare’s water sources, identifying Nyakaungwa River as an important source for the city.
Kadozora confirmed that the council had deployed police officers, dogs and rangers to protect the water source following concerns about illegal mining and the alleged use of cyanide in the area. He said the deployment was intended to safeguard the city’s water supply.
The councillor added that the issue had also been acknowledged by the mayor and other council officials last year, reinforcing the local authority’s concerns about protecting water sources from activities that could compromise water quality.
Kadozora further revealed that illegal mining activities had also been observed along Sakubva River, raising additional concerns about the protection of waterways and the potential effects on surrounding communities.
The concerns point to the importance of cooperation between local authorities, environmental agencies, mining regulators and communities in protecting water sources and ensuring that mining activities comply with environmental requirements.
The reported cyanide use and potential contamination of rivers could not be independently verified at the time of writing.
Beyond environmental protection and mining accountability, discussions also highlighted the importance of gender equality and women’s participation in the sector.
Faith Nenduva of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission said progress towards gender equality required sustained engagement and collaboration among different stakeholders.
“We are putting a lot towards gender equality. It is a process, and we are working with all stakeholders to make a balance,” Nenduva said.
Her remarks highlighted the importance of continued cooperation to improve women’s participation in decision-making and create opportunities for them to contribute to the development of mining communities.
Women in mining communities play important roles in local economic activities, household livelihoods and community development. Strengthening their participation in mining governance can help ensure that their experiences and priorities are considered in decisions about natural resources and the distribution of mining benefits.
However, meaningful empowerment requires more than representation. Women also need opportunities to participate in decision-making, access relevant information and contribute to discussions on environmental protection, economic opportunities and community development.
The ZICET initiative, working with CNRG, seeks to provide a platform for communities, particularly women and young people, to participate more actively in mining governance.
A people-centred approach to mining places community well-being alongside economic considerations, recognising the importance of safe water, functioning public infrastructure, environmental protection and inclusive development.
The concerns raised by the councilors also point to the importance of constructive engagement between residents, mining operators, government institutions, local authorities and civil society organizations in addressing challenges associated with mining.
For women and young people, stronger participation in these processes could help ensure that community development priorities, environmental concerns and social needs are reflected in decisions affecting the sector.
The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on how community participation translates into practical action, improved accountability and tangible development outcomes for people living in mining-affected areas.
