MBABANE – Illegal miners are allegedly polluting the Phophonyane River, on which thousands of emaSwati depend.
The river supplies water mainly to Pigg’s Peak and other parts of northern Hhohho, including Ntfonjeni and Matsamo. Its water quality is now raising concern following the return of illegal mining activities.
Illegal miners, commonly known as zama zamas, are reportedly using the river to clean mining equipment and wash away mercury used to process gold. Mercury is a liquid metal that can cause poisoning. Its health effects include tremors, memory problems, numbness or tingling, vision and hearing difficulties, mood changes, kidney damage and developmental delays in children. Pregnant women, infants and young children are especially vulnerable.
The development has raised concern at the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), which says the situation along the river is serious and appears to be worsening. An EEA investigation has found that the water is being polluted.
EEA Chief Executive Officer Gcina Dladla said illegal mining activities were contaminating the water. He said this was a serious concern because the activities affected a water body used by communities. An inspection along the Phophonyane River about three weeks ago found high turbidity, he said. Turbidity is the cloudiness or murkiness of water caused by suspended particles, including silt, clay, sand, organic matter and other substances.
High turbidity does not, on its own, establish the presence of a specific pollutant such as mercury. However, it can indicate deteriorating water quality and complicate treatment for human consumption. The EEA’s concern follows reports that illegal miners have returned to areas around the river despite a police operation intended to remove them.
Police officers had reportedly camped in the bush for some time in an effort to drive the zama zamas from the area. The operation appeared to reduce illegal mining for a period. However, information gathered by Eswatini News indicates the miners have continued operating there. Their presence has renewed concerns about the river’s condition and the possible consequences for communities that rely on its water.
According to information gathered, the illegal miners are using the river to clean their equipment. They are also alleged to use mercury to process gold and wash the substance into the river.
Mercury is particularly concerning in gold processing because it can harm people and the environment when improperly handled or released. Using the river for mining could, therefore, allow substances associated with the process to enter the water system.
Dladla said the contamination was serious and appeared to be worsening. The concerns also highlight the difficulties authorities face in tackling illegal mining. Dladla recently travelled to Mongolia, in Asia, where illegal mining was among the issues discussed.
He said one proposed solution was for law enforcement agencies to deal with the practice.
Environmental authorities could raise concerns about its effects, but enforcement agencies had to address the illegal activity itself, he said.
Dladla warned that unless the situation was brought under control, it could become far more serious.
He cited experiences in other countries where illegal mining had been linked to deaths and violence. In some cases, he said, police officers had been targeted while illegal miners continued exploiting mineral resources.
… zama zamas allegedly using explosives
MBABANE – Illegal mining in Eswatini appears to extend beyond environmental damage. Members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) recently discovered explosives in the bush. Information gathered by Eswatini News links the explosives to illegal mining in northern Hhohho, particularly in areas where green chert is being mined.
Zama zamas operating there were previously reported to heat the rock with fires until it cracked. However, the process is said to have been too slow, and the illegal miners are now allegedly using explosives.
Once broken, the rocks are collected and cut into smaller pieces using pickaxes and other metal tools.
The alleged use of explosives adds another dimension to the illegal mining problem. Besides endangering the miners, the explosives pose a risk to nearby communities, livestock and the environment.
We are facing the same at Magwegeane, in Matsamo. We cannot drink the fresh water from the mountains as zamazamas pollute the local rivers. The military is working hard to stop them, but the miners are mining each day. Please help the community in Matsamo. Even our livestock is in danger