Mutare Residents Raise Alarm Over Alleged Illegal Mining at Christmas Pass

By Southerton Business Times | Mutare

Residents of Toronto suburb in Mutare have accused a mining company of continuing operations in the Christmas Pass mountains despite an alleged directive from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) ordering it to halt mining activities and rehabilitate the site.

In a joint statement issued on Monday, a coalition of 10 civic and environmental organisations alleged that Culverhouse Investments (Pvt) Ltd had ignored an EMA compliance order and recently brought heavier machinery to expand excavation work above the residential suburb. The organisations warned that continued mining on the mountains overlooking Toronto suburb and the Hillcrest Group of Schools could increase the risk of soil erosion, rockfalls and mudslides, particularly during the rainy season.

According to the joint statement, EMA issued a letter dated 30 March 2026 directing the company to cease new excavations and rehabilitate the affected area by 30 April 2026.

The organisations claim mining activities have nevertheless continued, raising concerns about public safety and environmental degradation.

They further argued that the operations contravene Section 31C of Zimbabwe's Mines and Minerals Act, which they say restricts mining activities within urban areas and in close proximity to residential communities. The civic groups also accused EMA of failing to adequately enforce environmental regulations. Southerton Business Times has not independently verified the allegations contained in the statement.

Responding to questions from Chipinge Times, EMA Manicaland Provincial Manager Rambwayi Apako said Culverhouse Investments had been granted a permit by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to conduct underground mining. Apako said he was not aware of any surface mining taking place at the site. Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Misheck Mugadza, who is also the Member of Parliament for the area, told the publication he was unable to comment at the time because he was attending engagements in Harare.

The organisations are calling for:

• An immediate suspension of all mining activities at Christmas Pass.

• An independent geotechnical and environmental safety assessment.

• An investigation into EMA's handling of the matter.

• Legal action against any individuals or entities found to have violated environmental or mining laws.

The statement was jointly issued by the Greater Toronto Residents Trust, Centre for Natural Resource Governance, Mutare River Rehabilitation Initiative, Manica Youth Assembly, Buhera Residents Network Trust, Centre for Research and Policy Development in Africa, and other community organisations.

Environmental experts have previously warned that mining activities on steep slopes can increase the risk of land degradation, erosion and slope instability if not properly managed. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), responsible mining practices require comprehensive environmental impact assessments, effective rehabilitation plans and ongoing monitoring to minimise impacts on surrounding communities and ecosystems.

The dispute highlights the growing tension between mineral exploitation and environmental protection in Zimbabwe, where communities have increasingly raised concerns about mining operations located near residential areas, schools and ecologically sensitive sites. It remains unclear whether EMA will undertake further inspections or enforcement action following the latest allegations.

Christmas Pass mining