NEWS
ZAMBIA : World Bank grants $ 65 million for sanitation around mining sites
The World Bank has granted $ 65
million to finance an environmental remediation and restoration project around several mining sites in Zambia .
Mining that benefits the Zambian economy has many impacts on the environment , including pollution that affects people ’ s health . Initiated by the Zambian government , the Zambia Mining and Environmental Remediation and Improvement Project ( ZMERIP ) aims to clean up the environment around mining sites . It now benefits from financial support of $ 65 million from the World Bank .
The funds granted to the Zambian government will be used to clean up contaminated soils in at least four municipalities . The authorities will also work to upgrade infrastructure to prevent run-off around schools in the city of Kabwe in Central Province . The ZMERIP project will also enable the rehabilitation and closure of a pilot tailings dam and excavation site in the Copperbelt Province .
The fight against lead pollution An important component of the Environmental Remediation and Improvement and Mining Project in Zambia is dedicated to the control of lead pollution . The Zambian government wants to detect and treat children with high lead levels in Kabwe .
In this city of almost 189,000 people , “ Lead exposure is mainly due to the ingestion of contaminated food , but also to inhalation and skin penetration . Affected people have high levels of lead in their blood ,” says the World Bank . Lead is a silent killer that causes anaemia , headaches , convulsions , abdominal pain , neurological symptoms and developmental delays , especially in younger people .
Supporting local development According to the World Bank , remediation activities and management of lead contamination hotspots should help protect about 70,000 people . At least 30,000 children will benefit from education and awareness campaigns .
More than 3,000 young people affected by lead pollution in Kabwe are already being assisted through direct health interventions , including lead testing , treatment and nutritional supplements .
The ZMERIP project will also enable the creation of “ environmentally friendly ” income-generating activities for unemployed women and young people . It also includes a component dedicated to raising awareness of lead and other heavy metal pollution in mining areas .
“ Before implementing the activities , the project team made sure that these conditions were in place . Rehabilitation work in Kabwe and major infrastructure activities in Copperbelt province were delayed by almost 8 months due to Covid-19 restrictions ,” says the World Bank .
The government of Zimbabwe sets record straight on riverbed mining
The Government of Zimbabwe will
investigate mining syndicates defying a ban on riverbed mining , but operations on some rivers deemed to have capacity to sustain activities will be allowed with approval .
Cabinet last September announced a ban on riverbed mining and mining in national parks , but malcontents in the small scale mining sector have continued operating clandestinely . Government said operations on rivers such as Angwa and Save , which had capacity to sustain riverbed mining , could be sanctioned after strict review and approval of working plans . Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary , Mr Onesimo Moyo , said there had not been a change to last year ’ s Cabinet directive and cases of defiance would be investigated .
According to Mr . Moyo , there are rivers such as Save and Angwa which can sustain riverbed mining . However , he further clarifies that before this is done . those who want to mine should present their pilot plan to Government for approval so that it can be assessed if their activities are suitable for the river .
The minister also made it clear that there is no change to the Cabinet directive that bans riverbed mining . If there is anyone still involved , the ministry will investigate such cases of miners who are still doing what was banned and appropriate action will be taken .
Government policy was clear that mineral exploitation should be done in an environmentally friendly manner . In the case of national parks , the reasoning was motivated by the need to preserve the country ’ s wildlife — which is key to the country ’ s tourism revival strategy .
While others heeded the Government ’ s call , a number of miners continue operating in flagrant disregard of the Cabinet directive . Environment , Climate , Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu recently told Parliament that Government arms had moved in to stop operations .
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