AMN - Don’t forget artisanal miners during crisis – comment by Yolanda Torrisi

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that the need to protect artisanal miners and their families is acknowledged and acted upon by governments throughout Africa. These miners who are active in countries throughout the continent are likely to be among the most seriously impacted populations and this has implications for all people in the local regions as well as further afield.

Unfortunately, because this is the only source of income, and sustenance, for hundreds of thousands, it is almost impossible to enforce appropriate COVID-19 measures but it is vital that the message be dispersed and these miners urged to take more caution than usual.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has brought this situation to the thoughts of many around the world, saying that artisanal miners are at a great risk of being affected by the coronavirus scourge. Chief executive Wellington Takavarasha said that these miners were at a “huge risk” of contracting the virus.

“Everyone’s well-being is at stake, everyone’s health will suffer as long as the virus spread multiplies. People with existing immune system conditions, lung disease and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can die from the virus,” he said. “Artisanal mining communities are likely to be among the seriously impacted populations, but paradoxically because the virus is wreaking havoc on all facets of the economy, artisanal mining is likely to continue to be a widespread survival and food security strategy despite the risks.”

With Zimbabwe’s government imposing a 21-day lockdown at the start of April, ZMF is undertaking an extensive awareness campaign about the virus and the implications of not carrying out the necessary social distancing and hygiene measures. Both are not easy for artisanal miners to adhere to, particularly in terms if hygiene with many areas in which they operate not having clean water or toilets, making hygiene very difficult.

ZMF said these workers were already among the most vulnerable in Zimbabwe as they faced high risks of lung infection and dust pneumoconiosis.  Most are working in groups crowding mineral outcrop areas, particularly in gold areas, and numbering thousands.

The organisation said a mixture of bold general steps by national policymakers and very specific contextual steps were needed. “Increased awareness by government to artisanal miners would reduce panic, prevent chaotic confusion, guard against undue fear and weave public health programming into the very fabric of current relationships.”

The ZMF has approached the government seeking a reprieve so as to continue operations during the 21-day lockdown.

With artisanal mining prevalent throughout Africa, it is vital that ZMF’s message be taken onboard and treated seriously by authorities in other countries.

In Zimbabwe, a reprieve has been granted to Zimplats, which has put in place additional measures to protect their workers’ health while working during the lockdown. Zimplats said that it acted with the intention of sustaining the financial viability of its business and its contribution to the country’s economy.

“During the national lockdown, Zimplats’ primary focus is on protecting the lives and livelihoods of its employees, contractors, service providers and communities by doing all it can to sustain the financial viability of its business and its contribution to the national well-being of the country,” the company said in a statement.

Yolanda Torrisi is Chairperson of The African Mining Network and comments on African mining issues and the growing global interest in the continent. Contact:yolanda@yolandatorrisi.com