The government has introduced new regulations that prohibit individuals who have been granted special permits from engaging in mining activities. These regulations were put in place due to the environmental damage caused by alluvial mining along several rivers. The move comes shortly after two Chinese companies were banned from conducting alluvial gold mining along the Sanyati River, which forms the boundary between the Hurungwe and Nyaminyami districts.
According to Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, anyone who violates these regulations will be committing an offence. They will be subject to a fine not exceeding level 14, imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or both a fine and imprisonment. The law clearly states that no person shall conduct alluvial mining activities or prospect for alluvial deposits in or along any river or public stream, regardless of whether they possess a special grant, written authority from the relevant minister, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or any other permit or licence that purports to authorize such activities.
The law also stipulates that any special grant, written authority, permit, licence, EIA, or Environmental Management Plan that previously authorized alluvial mining activities or prospecting for alluvial deposits is no longer valid or enforceable. The holder of any such special grant or written authority who was lawfully conducting alluvial mining activities or prospecting for alluvial deposits immediately before the promulgation of this section must cease such activities or prospecting with immediate effect. They must also carry out appropriate rehabilitation measures within 30 days of the cessation of their activities, as required by section 7 of the law.
According to Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, anyone who violates these regulations will be committing an offence. They will be subject to a fine not exceeding level 14, imprisonment for a maximum of 12 months, or both a fine and imprisonment. The law clearly states that no person shall conduct alluvial mining activities or prospect for alluvial deposits in or along any river or public stream, regardless of whether they possess a special grant, written authority from the relevant minister, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or any other permit or licence that purports to authorize such activities.
The law also stipulates that any special grant, written authority, permit, licence, EIA, or Environmental Management Plan that previously authorized alluvial mining activities or prospecting for alluvial deposits is no longer valid or enforceable. The holder of any such special grant or written authority who was lawfully conducting alluvial mining activities or prospecting for alluvial deposits immediately before the promulgation of this section must cease such activities or prospecting with immediate effect. They must also carry out appropriate rehabilitation measures within 30 days of the cessation of their activities, as required by section 7 of the law.
