The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has reiterated its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe’s Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector by adapting environmental compliance processes, offering targeted education, and tightening mercury monitoring and control systems, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the PlanetGold Zimbabwe ASGM Strategy Dialogue held in Harare on Wednesday, Alpha Chikurira from EMA highlighted several longstanding pain points and the agency’s evolving response to formalise and support small-scale miners.
Historically, EMA’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements were uniform across all mining operations—an approach that often failed to account for the capital limitations and business capacities of artisanal and small-scale miners.
Chikurira noted that previously, small-scale miners had to pay steep fees, including a 3% review fee based on initial capital costs, hire consultants, and undergo rigorous processes similar to those required of large-scale mining ventures.
To address this, EMA has since introduced a simplified Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) process for miners with capitalisation below US$25,000. Instead of paying thousands, eligible miners now pay a flat US$250 review fee. This allows EMA to assess sites, provide environmental guidance, and support miners’ compliance journeys more affordably.
“This new process is less onerous and more inclusive. It recognises that most small-scale mining operations are family-run businesses with limited environmental management expertise,” Chikurira said.
The revised approach is also meant to help miners access financing, as banks increasingly scrutinise environmental compliance during loan assessments.
Chikurira also addressed the communication gap between EMA and the small-scale sector, noting that most miners do not have the time or resources to absorb information via traditional media. As a result, EMA has incorporated awareness campaigns into its mandatory quarterly inspections. During site visits, inspectors not only enforce regulations but also provide tailored environmental advice and issue Environmental Protection Orders—non-punitive directives aimed at correcting specific issues before they escalate.
As part of its broader strategy, EMA employs what Chikurira called “the carrot, the stick, and the trombone.” The “carrot” represents incentives and support; the “stick” refers to enforcement and fines; and the “trombone” is EMA’s method of highlighting model compliance cases to educate and inspire other miners.
To enhance regulatory impact, EMA, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Provincial Mining Directors (PPMs), has operationalised a dedicated law enforcement unit. This unit is empowered to process fines, prosecute environmental offences, and clamp down on illegal mining activities that contribute to land degradation, water pollution, and community hazards.
Mercury use—a critical issue in ASGM—was another focal point of Chikurira’s presentation. While the substance remains legal under certain guidelines, it poses a major threat to public health and the environment if not properly managed.
EMA has increased efforts to track mercury imports, monitor its presence in aquatic ecosystems, and enforce safer handling practices. “We monitor 36 key river points monthly and are expanding our surveillance to dams,” Chikurira said. “Our message remains clear: keep mercury away from fish, and keep it away from the mother.”
These strategies form part of EMA’s multi-pronged approach to promote sustainable and responsible mining in Zimbabwe, in line with national efforts to formalise the ASGM sector and reduce its environmental footprint.
