VILLAGERS in Inyathi, Matabeleland North province, have called on the government to establish a fair revenue-sharing model, ensuring that they benefit economically from mining activities in the district.
The villagers, under the banner Bubi District Development Forum (BDDF), wrote to the Mines and Mining Development minister protesting widespread poverty despite the area being rich in gold deposits.
According to villagers, mining companies operating in the area were doing little to plough back into the community through jobs, infrastructural development and other interventions.
The villagers said the minister was empowered by section 59 of the Constitution “to facilitate and take measures to empower, through appropriate, transparent, fair and just affirmative action, all marginalised persons, groups and communities in Zimbabwe”.
“We also want to draw your attention and base our arguments mainly on the following adopted United Nations (2015) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) calling for actions to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030,” they said in their petition dated September 3.
The petition is titled Unlocking the Potential of Bubi District: A Call for Investment in Mining, Infrastructure and Local Development.
“Local residents (youths) approximately 85% are unemployed, leading to increased poverty and economic hardship. There is a lack of economic growth. Mines’ failure to invest in local human capital hinders economic growth and development in the region.”
The villagers said as a result, there were strained community-mine relations.
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“Tensions are rising between local communities and mines, leading to conflicts and mistrust. Mines are exploiting local resources without contributing to the local economy or improving living standards.”
The villagers claimed that mining companies are causing environmental degradation and doing little to reclaim land.
“Mining has led to deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution, affecting the community’s health and livelihoods. There is a lack of economic benefits,” they said.
“The community loses agricultural land. Mining leads to the destruction of fertile land, threatening food security and livelihoods.
“Communities have limited negotiating power, leading to exploitation by mining companies.”
The villagers said the mines should be ordered to invest in building roads, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential infrastructure.
BDDF chairperson Runia Dube yesterday said they were yet to get a response from the ministry.
