Environmental Impact Assessment Report For The Maran6e Chiadzwa Diamond Project

Abstract

The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) was mandated by Government to conduct exploration and subsequent exploitation of the diamond resource in Marange District. In compliance with the Environmental Management Act, ZMDC commissioned the Institute of Mining Research, University of Zimbabwe to carry out an environmental impact assessment of the envisaged project. The mining and processing activities of the diamond bearing rock does not involve the use of sophisticated equipment nor chemicals. The impacts associated with the project were assessed and the only significant one is that related to evacuation of people that currently live within the demarcated security zone. Exploration work is currently ongoing and the security zone is likely to expand. The ZMDC authorities have committed themselves to ensure that all evacuations will be communicated to the people concerned including the local government and traditional leadership in time and compensation will be commensurate with current standards. An environmental management plan for the project has been formulated as a result of the assessment of the impacts of the project in terms of social, economic and ecological setting of the project site and also from the aspirations of the affected stakeholders through the public consultation exercise conducted by the eia team.