The discharge is reported to be causing ailments in villagers and livestock, although there is no official confirmation.
A European Union delegation, led by EU Ambassador Aldo Dell’Ariccia, recently visited Marange and expressed concern at reports of pollution in a briefing with Manicaland Governor Chris Mushohwe.
The Environmental Management Agency had a marathon meeting with Mushohwe recently after the watchdog threatened to stop Anjin operations in Chiadzwa for failing to comply with the law.
“We are closely monitoring mining operations. Water should be recycled rather than going into rivers. I am receiving monthly reports from the EMA to monitor environmental degradation and make sure it does not continue,” said Mushohwe during the briefing.
But villagers accuse Anjin of polluting the water. They said they started experiencing widespread health problems after drinking water from the rivers since Anjin started discharging effluent in 2009.
A local community leader, Aleck Mutsago, said three of his cattle died in recent weeks after drinking from the Odzani River. An official from EMA who declined to be named said mining companies found it cheaper to pay the fines for polluting water than to invest in anti-pollution activities.
Anjin board member, Munyaradzi Machach, admitted that some effluent had gone into the river after their tank developed a fault.
“In a normal set up water from Odzi is recycled, not discharged into the river. Our tank developed a mechanical problem in recent weeks, but we have since repaired it,” he said.
But environmentalists and health experts are adamant that the companies are not complying with environmental laws and urged action against the offenders.“Something has to be done. We cannot fold our hands while the wellbeing of the environment is being destroyed by these companies,” said Mike Pullen, a local environmentalist.
Post published in: News