Zimbabwe has banned riverbed alluvial mining with immediate effect to protect the environment, a move that could impact many of the country’s gold miners.
Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka made the announcement after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, adding that enforcement measures will be put in place to ensure compliance.
Over 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold is produced by small-scale miners, many of whom source the yellow metal through riverbed mining.
In January through July this year, the country produced 17,279.4 kilograms, up from 16,855.4 kilograms a year earlier, according to official data. — Bloomberg
