Implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Policy in Zimbabwe: Case Study of Small-Scale Mining in Pickstone Area, Chegutu

Abstract

The study sought to examine the implementation of Zimbabwe’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Policy of 1997, assessing the gap between the theory and practice and the causes of such variances. More specifically, the study examined the extent to which the EIA policy was being implemented as planned or enacted using small scale gold mining activities in the Pickstone area of Chegutu District as a case study. Semi structured questionnaires, key informant interviews as well as document analysis of the EIA policy, regulations and procedures were used to gather data in this case study survey. Data was also gathered from 16 small scale gold miners who were holders of the mining certificate issued by Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and had undertaken the EIA process for their operational mining activities and three officials from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The respondents were selected using purposive sampling and snowballing. The study found out that the EIA policy of Zimbabwe has regulatory content and is backed legally by the Environmental Management Act (EMAct) Chapter 20:27 of 2002 and its regulations. The policy which is implemented both at the top and at the bottom by EMA and small scale miners respectively was noted to be at variance with some of the provisions of the legislation. Gaps were noted between some of the EIA principles set in the policy in theory and the practice on the ground. Using the 5 C protocol the factors noted to be critical to the small scale miners in implementing the EIA policy were lack of financial and human resources capacity. The economic and political situation in Zimbabwe were also noted to be affecting the EIA policy implementation in Zimbabwe. The commitment of the small scale miners and the importance of clients and coalitions such as Environmental Consultants in the implementation of the policy was also explained. The study showed that there is still room for improvement in the implementation of the EIA policy of Zimbabwe with particular reference to small scale mining.