On October 9, 2019, the High Court in Zimbabwe ordered the Imami Mine to cease operations immediately. This is a huge victory for local people, the environment, and grassroots activists who fought hard for this outcome.
We want to congratulate the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) for this win: ZELA and their Director Mutuso Dhilwayo have worked closely with Global Greengrants Fund since 2008 to support grassroots groups in Zimbabwe affected by extractive industries.
Earlier in the year, ZELA filed a court application for the Imani Mine to cease operations, as the company, which began operating the mine in 2017, had not completed the required environmental impact assessment.
Those who live near the mine in Gwanda, Zimbabwe have experienced detrimental impacts from the operation for a number of years. The mine has led to pollution and land degradation in the area, and blasting activities have cracked the foundations of local homes.
The mine also uses cyanide to separate rock from gold, a practice that is known to contaminate nearby soil and water supplies. Cyanide is an extremely hazardous material, and the company did not have the proper licensing to use it.
By calling attention to the missing environmental impact assessment, the group was ultimately able to influence the decision to shut down the Imani mine.
Below is a statement from ZELA about the news:
“The judgment comes at the right time and cushions the community against negative impacts of mining activities. The order by the High court of Zimbabwe thus compels the Mine to comply and follow due process that is laid out in the environmental laws of Zimbabwe.
The order by the court no doubt promotes and upholds environmental rights that are provided for in terms of section 73 of the Constitution. The judgment also complements the monitoring and implementation role of the Environmental Management Agency in that it forces the mine to comply with the orders which it had defied.
The order sets a good example and precedent for other mining companies that might want to defy orders by the Agency. It is imperative to note that the order by the court promotes responsible investment in that mining activities have to be conducted in a way that promotes human rights.”
We celebrate this win for people and planet alongside our partners in Zimbabwe, and we re-affirm our commitment to channeling resources directly to local groups worldwide as they work to uphold their human rights and their access to a clean and healthy environment.