Gold Greed at Christmas Pass Puts Mutare Lives at Risk
Illegal gold mining along the Christmas Pass Mountain Range in Mutare has triggered widespread alarm over environmental degradation, water pollution, and the risk of deadly mudslides.
The operations—driven by local entrepreneurs, Chinese investors, and artisanal miners are being carried out without licenses or Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), in direct violation of national laws.
Despite a government directive to halt all activity, miners continue working under cover of darkness, putting hundreds of residents at risk as the rainy season approaches.
The northern slopes of Christmas Pass, facing Hillcrest College and nearby private properties, have been gouged by deep gullies and tunnels.
Cyanide and other toxic chemicals used in gold extraction are scattered across the terrain, threatening Mutare’s drinking water supply and destabilizing the mountain’s structure.
Residential properties and swimming pools have already suffered damage due to round-the-clock mining.
Responding to the crisis, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said government has ordered an immediate halt to all illegal mining activities in the Christmas Pass area.
“We have directed that all illegal gold mining operations in that area must cease immediately.
“We cannot tolerate such unregulated gold mining due to obvious safety concerns for local residents and the potential environmental impact on the Christmas Pass area,” he said.
According to The Manica Post, investigations revealed that mining continues despite the stop order, with operators evading law enforcement by working when the area is deserted.
Mutasa Rural District Council CEO, Mr George Bandure, confirmed the operations are illegal and fall within claims owned by Toronto Mines (Pvt) Ltd.
“The company had mobilised equipment for exploration but was advised to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment first. A stop order was issued by EMA after stakeholders visited the site,” he said.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) rejected Toronto Mine’s EIA submission, declaring all current mining activities unlawful.
“From our records, any mining operations that may be occurring should be deemed illegal as there is no EIA certified project in the area in question,” said EMA provincial education and publicity officer, Mrs Alice Rutsvara.
She added that EMA will continue inspections to enforce compliance under the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27).
Efforts to obtain comment from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development were unsuccessful, as provincial officials referred queries to their superiors in Harare, who were unavailable at the time of publication.
Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) director, Farai Maguwu, warned of catastrophic consequences.
“We are uncertain whether the individuals mining gold in that area have left for good. During a recent visit, we encountered some Chinese nationals who fled at high speed, apparently mistaking us for law enforcement agents.
“They were heavily involved in gold mining in the area, posing a significant threat of mudslides similar to those seen in countries like Nepal where entire villages can be submerged,” said Maguwu.
The once-lush slopes of Christmas Pass are now marked by red soil and gaping cuts, creeping dangerously close to telecommunications towers above Hillcrest College.
With the rainy season looming, the scars on the mountain serve as a stark warning of the urgent need for enforcement and environmental protection.
