This was said by Minister of State in the Office of the
President and Cabinet in Charge of Monitoring Implementation of Special
Agricultural and Related Programmes Hon Davies Marapira in Gweru last week
while launching the garlic, ginger, and turmeric export promotion programme.
“There have been reports circulating that mining supersedes
farming and all farming activities must stop when miners intend to mine from a
farm.
“That is not true and farmers must never listen to such
reports. A miner must always seek consent from the farmer who owns the land.
“What some miners have been doing is completely illegal and
we call upon the mining ministry to make sure that such anomalies are corrected
and those who do so are taken to task,” he said.
Minister Murapira also bemoaned the rise of illegal mining
in the province which has resulted in destruction of crucial resources like
roads, buildings, rivers and dams.
“My ministry is also worried about the influx of
small-scale mining activities in the Midlands province. This has seen miners
conducting their activities in inappropriate places like mining close to the
roads there by putting lives of motorists and passengers at risk. Some are also
mining near graves which is very worrying while some are mining near riverbeds
yet riverbed mining was banned.
“As citizens, let’s unite in keeping our environment
habitable and let’s preserve it for the future generation. Those who mine along
the highway should stop and may all responsible authorities make sure that all
disused mines are reclaimed as many of them are posing danger to humans and
livestock. Let’s practice responsible mining,” he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment