The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) has committed to supporting the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector, the government, and large-scale mining companies through technical assistance aimed at achieving Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance, community development, and national goals.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Small to Medium Miners Conference, held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre (ZIEC) during the Mining Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra), ZELA’s Tafara Chiremba highlighted the organization’s advocacy for policy finalization, environmental compliance support, and tax incentives. He also praised government efforts to promote responsible mining and ASM policies.
Chiremba emphasized ZELA’s role in providing technical assistance to key stakeholders, including the Parliament of Zimbabwe, to address resource gaps in the sector. ZELA also supports the ZMF and small-scale miners by building capacity in health and safety, equipment provision, and market access through regional and international programs like AfricaMaVal and the OECD.
“We are ready to work closely with the ASM sector, government, and large-scale miners to provide technical assistance and ensure ESG compliance in mining. We aim to complement government and private sector efforts to promote national development. We have already provided support to several stakeholders, including the Parliament of Zimbabwe, to address resource gaps.”
Chiremba also urged the government to consider seeking support from the Intergovernmental Forum on Metals, Mining, Minerals, and Sustainable Development and to offer more tax incentives to ASM players, aligning them with their environmental compliance efforts.
ZELA has long recommended that the national budget allocate resources to the Ministry of Mines to strengthen compliance. On community development, ZELA highlighted ASM’s potential to create jobs and drive local progress, commending government initiatives to formalize the sector.
