By A Correspondent -The Youth Empowerment and Skills Development Association (YESDA) has conducted a follow-up visit to the Bikita Minerals slime dam in Murape Village, Ward 11, Bikita West, and observed with deep concern that water contamination linked to leakages from the tailings facility appears to be worsening. The organization says the situation now requires urgent intervention from Bikita Minerals, environmental regulators, local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders.

This latest assessment builds on concerns that YESDA, the Bikita Institute for Land and Development (BILD), the Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA), and other community-based organizations have consistently raised regarding the environmental and social impacts of mining activities in Murape Village. Communities have previously reported losing access to safe water sources following the construction of the slime dam, forcing families to travel long distances in search of water and, in some cases, rely on contaminated sources for domestic use. These concerns have repeatedly been raised through community dialogues and stakeholder engagements aimed at finding sustainable solutions.

During the recent visit, residents reported that leakages from the slime dam continue to spread across surrounding areas, with contaminated water moving closer to natural watercourses that feed into the Mungezi River system. Villagers fear that the continued leakage could contaminate key water sources, threatening public health, local ecosystems, and community livelihoods if urgent action is not taken.

Community members also reported an increase in livestock deaths, with concerns that some animals may have consumed water from areas affected by the leakage. For many households in Murape Village, livestock are a critical source of food security and household income, making the reported losses a major concern.

“We are worried by the rate at which this slime dam is leaking. It appears that inadequate attention is being given to the safety of families living around the tailings dam. The contaminated water is moving rapidly towards the Mungezi River, and the situation demands urgent action,” said YESDA representatives during the visit.

YESDA notes that concerns about leakages from the slime dam and their environmental impacts have been raised before by community stakeholders, who questioned the dam’s structural integrity and its potential impact on surrounding ecosystems, grazing land, and water sources.

As an organization committed to youth development, environmental justice, community participation, and sustainable development, YESDA is calling on Bikita Minerals, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, local authorities, and other responsible institutions to urgently investigate the reported leakages, repair the affected sections of the slime dam, conduct independent water quality assessments, and provide safe alternative water sources for affected communities.

Communities in Murape Village deserve access to clean water, a safe environment, and meaningful participation in decisions that affect their lives. YESDA therefore calls for immediate action before the situation reaches an irreversible stage.