The Socio–Economic and Biophysical Impacts of Black Granite Mining in Mutoko, Zimbabwe

Bowora Edmore

Abstract


Mining has impacts especially on the people living in communities where minerals are found. Although many researches have been conducted on the impacts of mining on the environment, few researches have focussed on the impacts of black granite mining in Zimbabwe. This paper identifies the socio-economic and biophysical impacts of black granite mining in Mutoko, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires, interviews and observations were used to collect data for this study. The findings from five black granite mines surveyed in the study showed that the main biophysical impacts of black granite mining are loss of biodiversity due to deforestation, siltation, soil erosion and displacement of wildlife. The main socio-economic impacts are employment, infrastructural development, and loss of prime agricultural land, destruction of sacred sites; cracking of building structures; dust inhalation; and injuries. The study recommends effective implementation of Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) to enhance or reduce the impacts of black granite mining

Keywords


black granite, mining, socio-economic, biophysical, impacts

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