Zimbabwe bans riverbed, alluvial mining with immediate effect

The government has immediately banned all mining and desiltation activities in riverbeds, citing their lack of tangible benefits to the country and the increasing environmental degradation of rivers, Cabinet announced.

Cabinet stated that pollution, siltation, and degradation were worsening rather than improving.

During a Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Hon. Jenfan Muswere, announced that the commencement of large-scale and mechanical alluvial mining has led to significant destruction of rivers and disruption of riverine ecosystems. As a result, the Cabinet has imposed an immediate ban on riverbed mining.