Online Reporter
George Maponga-Masvingo Bureau
HUNDREDS of fish and other aquatic species have died in the Shashe River in Mashava following the accidental discharge of contaminated waste, including cyanide, from a nearby mine.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has ordered Cambria 4 Mine to cease operations and address the situation to prevent further spillage into the river.
The pollution was exacerbated by heavy rains that caused a tailings dam to overflow.
As a result, EMA has fined the mining company for the environmental damage.
Shashe River, a perennial water source, is a tributary of Muzhwi Dam, feeds into Tugwi River, which supplies water to Tugwi-Mukosi Dam.
Communities are concerned that the situation could worsen, threatening their livelihoods as they depend on fishing.
EMA conducted tests on the river after receiving reports of contamination on New Year’s Day.
According to Ms Amkela Sidange, EMA’s environmental education and publicity manager, they responded promptly and conducted an onsite inspection.
“The inspection revealed that the tailings dam at Cambria 4 Mine over spilled due to heavy rains received in the area, resulting in the suspected pollution of the river water in the Shashe River,” she said.
Investigations indicated that a cut-off trench designed to contain high water volumes around the tailings dam had failed.
Water samples collected showed a rise in pH levels, likely due to sodium hydroxide contamination.
Ms Sidange confirmed EMA immediately collected water samples from the river for analysis at their laboratory, which revealed a rise in pH.
Subsequent tests confirmed that the water in the Shashe River was now safe, and EMA continues to monitor the situation by collecting daily water samples.
Apart from being fined, Cambria 4 Mine has been directed to stop operations until all recommendations for rectifying the pollution are implemented.
The mine has been instructed to adopt pollution abatement measures, including applying ferrous sulphate in the nearby stream and reconstructing the damaged tailings dam. They must also deepen and widen the cut-off trench around the tailings dam.
EMA has urged other mining companies nationwide to ensure their operations are environmentally friendly.
“Mining firms should make sure their cut-off trenches around tailing dams were deep and wide enough to avoid spillages that harmed the environment,” said Ms Sidange:
daniel chigunwe
