Botha Gold Mine Suspension Sparks Fears of Increased Crime in Bindura

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Botha Gold Mine in Bindura has suspended operations with immediate effect, citing safety and environmental concerns. This decision has sparked anxiety among local communities who depend on the mine for their livelihoods, particularly the thousands of artisanal miners who work in the area known as Kitsiyatota.

These miners retrieve and process discarded ore, providing them with a crucial source of income. The suspension threatens to disrupt their livelihoods and potentially increase unemployment and crime in Bindura and surrounding towns.

Locals have already reported a surge in crime, including robberies and stabbings, which they attribute to the growing number of unemployed artisanal miners.

A video circulating on social media shows a man who was allegedly stabbed and robbed by unknown assailants near the mine.

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The caption accompanying the video, written in Shona, reads: “Kitsi yatiparira mukomana uyo abaiwa nebanga along Chipindura Road pa RedCross apo achienda kuCottco kunogayiwa matombo, atorerwa phone nemari around $20.00, vanhu fambai kwakachena musawanzira mapurisa basa.”

Reasons for Suspension

In a statement, Botha Gold Mine outlined the reasons for the suspension, which was issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in accordance with safety and environmental regulations.

The mine was found to be non-compliant in several areas, including operating outside of permitted boundaries, lacking proper supervision, inadequate shaft safety measures, improper handling of explosives, lack of sanitation facilities, failure to provide protective equipment, and failing to rehabilitate disused shafts.

Additionally, the mine had not submitted updated survey plans, maintained proper employee records, or ensured that all processing activities were conducted within registered mining claims.

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Ms. Josephine T. Mukute, Head of Communications and Community Affairs at Botha Gold Mine, stated:

“In the interest of safety and health of persons and promotion of environmental protection best practices, please remain calm and cooperate with management as we work towards resolving these compliance issues.”

Concerns and Fears

The suspension has generated considerable anxiety within the community, who fear the economic and social repercussions of the mine’s closure.

Many artisanal miners rely solely on the mine for income, and the loss of this livelihood could lead to increased poverty and crime.

Local residents have appealed to authorities to address the situation urgently and provide support for those affected by the suspension.