Of Natural Resources, Poverty Alleviation and Local Communities: Case of Quarry Mining in Mutoko District (Zimbabwe)
Abstract
A good local resource base can benefit local communities as people are able to exploit available natural resources to their advantage. The astronomically high unemployment levels in the country have exacerbated the attendant poverty levels, which has led to local communities seeking alternative survival strategies. In the case of Nyamuzuwe, the local community has embarked on the exploitation of black granite quarry to irk out a living. However, it has been noted that the local community has derived socio-economic benefits from the quarrying venture, while on the other hand, the quarrying activity has taken its toll on the local environment. Consequently, the paper examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of black granite quarrying on local communities in the community of Mutoko District. A total of 185 respondents were selected through random sampling and data was collected through questionnaires. Additionally, focus group discussions and interviews were conducted to establish the extent of spin-offs from black granite quarrying which cumulatively brought infrastructural development, stimulated vending, employment creation, improvement in housing, and the provision of transport to the area. However, there has been negative environmental impact emanating from quarrying. Black granite quarrying activities have resulted in lowering of water table for agriculture, loss of agricultural lands, demolishing of graves and health problems and land degradation. Additionally, air, water and noise pollution have been a culmination of quarrying in the area. However, there have been attempts at restoration and intervention measures by Natural Stone Export Companyin the form of re-afforestation, review of methods of operation and provision of alternative sources of drinking water to the affected communities. The authors recommend that the company revise its environmental management policy in the area to ensure that negative socio-economic and environmental effects of mining activities in the area remain minimal.Downloads
References
Aboagye, A. (1986). Informal Sector Employment in Kenya: A survey of Informal Sector Activities in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombassa, ILO Publishers, Geneva.
Baah, A. (2005). Assessing labour and environmental standards in South African multinational companies in the mining industry in Africa: the Case of Goldfields South Africa, Mining Africa: Comprehensive report on South African MNCs’ labour and social performance, Johannesburg
Campbell, C. &Williams, B. (1999). “Beyond the biomedical and behavioural: towards an integrated approach to HIV prevention in the southern African mining industry.” Journal of Social Science and Medicine 48(11).
Central Statistical Office. (2002). Zimbabwe National Population Census 2002. Government Printers, Harare.
Chenje M, Sola L, andPaleczny, D. (1998), The State of Zimbabwe’s Environment 1998. Government Printers, Harare.
Churchyard G.J, Clayton T.C, Williams B.G, Mulder D, Hayes R.J., De Cock, K.M. (2000). “HIV infection and silicosis: the impact of two potent risk factors on the incidence of mycobacterium disease in South African miners.” Aids 14(17).
Government of Zimbabwe. (1991). Second Five-Year National Development Plan: 1991-1995. Government Printers, Harare.
Kessler, S.E. (1994).Mineral Resources, Economics and the Environment. McMillan Publishers, New York.
Labonne, B., Limb M and Gilman, J. (1999). Tripartite Meeting on Social and Labour Issues in Small-scale mines, Geneva International Labour Organization (ILO).
Limb M and Dwyer F. (2001). Qualitative Methodologies for Geographers: Issues and Debate, Oxford University, Oxford
Redmond, H. (2005). From Adjustment to Development in Africa, London: Macmillan.
Wyss, J. (2003). Madagascar to triple areas under protection, Conservation, International, press release.
Copyright (c) 2016 Journal of Progressive Research in Social Sciences
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
TRANSFER OF COPYRIGHT
JPRSS is pleased to undertake the publication of your contribution to Journal of Progressive Research in Social Sciences.
The copyright to this article is transferred to JPRSS(including without limitation, the right to publish the work in whole or in part in any and all forms of media, now or hereafter known) effective if and when the article is accepted for publication thus granting JPRSS all rights for the work so that both parties may be protected from the consequences of unauthorized use.