KADOMA — Zimbabweans in the mining sector have been called upon to manage the use of mercury, which is impacting negatively on health and the environment.
By Nhau Mangirazi
The miners have been urged to take consideration of the Minamata Convention that aims to eradicate the dangers of exposing people to mercury.
Minamata disease affects the nervous system and causes numbness as well as loss of memory to its victims. This can be passed on to unborn babies by pregnant mothers.
Stakeholders attending the Mercury Initial Assessment launch in Kadoma yesterday agreed that there was need to educate gold miners on the safe use of mercury.
Wellington Takavarasha, president of the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-Scale for Sustainable Mining Council, told the meeting that Zimbabwe was among the world’s top five illegal importers of mercury and lack of information on the dangers of the chemical was exposing many citizens to health risks.
Takavarasha said Zimbabwe import 50 tonnes of mercury while 150 tonnes was brought in illegally, ironically by small-scale gold miners.
“Although artisanal small gold miners contribute to 24 % of gold output, their lives are at risk because of the improper use of mercury,” he said.
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Acting director in the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate Abraham Matiza called for a holistic approach to minimise the dangers of mercury in the mining communities.
“The launch focuses on awareness, development, training and guidance on mercury inventory. We must act on the mercury pollution as well as prepare Zimbabwe for ratification of the Minamata Convention,” Matiza said.
Due to the high unemployment rate in Zimbabwe, many people have resorted to gold panning where mercury is used to trap alluvial gold.
The 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. The convention is named after the Japanese city of Minamata.
