By A Correspondent
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has temporarily shut down Ran Mine in Bindura following the discovery of cyanide traces in the water supply of Chipadze suburb. This contamination resulted from a water spillage on Thursday from the mine’s slime dam, raising serious concerns about public health.
The shutdown is intended to give authorities more time to address the environmental and health risks posed by the spillage, which has not only affected the local water supply but also led to the death of fish in Pote River and Arcadia dams.
Maxwell Mupotsa, EMA’s Provincial Environment and Publicity Officer, explained the agency’s findings: “Our laboratory analysis from Thursday up to today has been sampling boreholes and streams close to Mushambanhaka into Pote River, where there are reports of fish dying. We found that there are traces of cyanide in the area as well as clusters in Chipadze. We ordered them to stop operations and focus mainly on this health hazard.”
The mine’s temporary closure follows a meeting of the Bindura Civil Protection Unit on Wednesday, which reviewed the laboratory results and agreed on an immediate community awareness campaign to address the contamination issue.
Environmental Health Officer Fungai Mangwambi urged residents to take precautions: “We just advised the community not to use the water from their wells because they are not fully protected. They must use the reticulated water from the council or local authority, which is a bit safer as from now, since we are expecting underground contamination.”
However, the situation has left Chipadze residents divided. While some expressed confusion and concern, others questioned the previous assurances given by the mine. One resident shared their frustration: “We were told the mine conducted tests and the water was safe, but we saw with our own eyes that vegetables and trees were affected. On top of that, we have some shallow wells, and now we are surprised we are being told not to use the water. Our health is now at risk because we have been drinking that water.”
Another resident added, “We are no longer sure what to believe because when they tested, they said the water was safe. Now we are being told not to wash plates after hearing that fish, especially catfish, died at Pote.”
A disabled resident, concerned about the potential health risks, expressed worry about the water’s reach: “I use a wheelchair, and when I pass my gate, there is water. I don’t know to what extent I will be affected since I handle that water when wheeling my wheelchair.”
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, Chipadze residents remain anxious about the safety of their water and their health.