Mnangagwa calls for ESG compliance in mining

President Mnangagwa has said the mining industry must prioritise issues of Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) for communities to fully benefit from the minerals mines in their areas.

This call has come after various communities have raised a red flag and demanded change on matters of sustainable mining.

The President said that many miners were not prioritizing mine rehabilitation which has become a cancer in mining communities. Mnangagwa said he has witnessed many uncovered pits around the country.

Communities are no longer ignorant on matters of sustainability and are demanding change while at the same time investors and financial institutions seek to put the onus back on businesses to make them more inclusive, socially responsible, and sustainable. Compliance, therefore, emerges are the critical factor to drive change and the call to action lies with governments to enforce regulations and benchmarks.

The President, therefore, called on mining companies to go green in their operations so as to preserve the environment for future use.

“It is mining expectation that mining houses now begin to green their operations through responsible mining towards low carbon emissions and sustainable mining.

“Sometimes as I fly around I see many places where miners would have dug holes without rehabilitation. So please don’t invite the government to create draconian legislation to force you to green and maintain your areas of operation,” President Mnangagwa said.

“Further the emerging Environment, Social and Governance thrust in the mining sector, now demands that mining houses create real benefits for the communities in which they are operating. Over and above supporting livelihoods, it is also necessary for you in the sector to invest in the protection of the environment, while building long term community resilience. In this endeavour, capacity building for mining sector professionals in Environment, Social and Governance must be given due attention.”