In mineral-rich districts across Zimbabwe—particularly Hwedza, Buhera, and Goromonzi—a surge in mining operations is triggering a water crisis that threatens rural communities’ access to clean and sufficient water.
While mining promises economic opportunities, its rapid expansion is depleting groundwater reserves and displacing long-standing local populations. Communities that have long relied on natural water sources for farming and daily needs are now facing dried-up wells and growing uncertainty about the future.
Local residents, supported by the Community Water Alliance (CWA) and other grassroots organisations, are now pushing back by participating in training programmes that raise awareness about water rights and environmental threats. These efforts aim to equip villagers with the tools to engage in water governance and hold mining companies accountable.
“We’ve depended on these water sources for generations,” said Hwedza farmer Blessing Nyoni. “But now, with all the drilling and digging, our wells are drying up. It’s affecting our farms and our lives.”
Zimbabwe’s booming extraction of lithium, diamonds, steel, and phosphate has significantly increased water abstraction across mining zones. Officials and experts warn that this unchecked demand is placing immense pressure on already fragile groundwater levels.
“Water is life—and it’s under threat,” said Mark, a representative from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa). “The current rate of water extraction is simply unsustainable.”
District authorities echo these concerns, noting that mining expansion is challenging efforts to ensure water access. “Balancing economic progress with environmental preservation is becoming increasingly difficult,” said Patience Mufundisi, a Murambinda official.
The consequences are not just environmental. Several families have been displaced to accommodate mining developments, particularly around the Marovanyati Dam area, despite the dam currently holding over 70% of its capacity after recent rains.
Nyoni, one of the displaced villagers, recounted the hardships of relocation: “We had to leave everything. Now we live in a place with even worse water access.”
Environmental specialists urge immediate action to implement sustainable mining practices. Kudzai Moyo, an environmental scientist, warned that economic development should not come at the expense of ecosystems or local communities.
As tensions grow, advocacy for stricter regulations is gaining ground. Chris Gowori of CWA emphasised the need for community empowerment: “We’re helping people understand how mining impacts their water and how they can demand better protections.”
Local campaigners like Rudo Chaka are also speaking out: “This isn’t just about water for drinking—it’s about survival, health, farming, and our children’s futures.”
The unfolding situation in these districts underscores the need for inclusive, community-led water resource management, particularly in regions where mining operations are intensifying.
