COMPLIANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS BY A GOLD MINING COMPANY IN ZAKA DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE - A TRAVESTY OR TRIBUTE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE

Autori

  • Gideon Walter Mutanda School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
  • Talent Murwendo School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
  • Lawrence Sawunyama School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v6i5.1102

Cuvinte cheie:

environmental democracy, access rights, meaningful participation, environmental impact assessment, Zimbabwe, mining

Rezumat

Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act has provisions promoting the conduct of environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to project implementation to protect the environment and environmental rights. Using data collection methods inspired by phenomenological study, this paper discusses if EIA processes by a gold mining company had mainstreamed or marooned ‘access rights’ which are the cornerstone of environmental democracy. While the Zimbabwe’s EIA policy is applauded for covertly mainstreaming environmental democracy, research findings suggest that there exist gaps in the policy framework, policy and practice in promoting comprehensive environmental democracy. EIA processes are done to fulfil legal obligations but with little motivation to protect community interests as participation is symbolic. It is recommended to redesign EIA policy and embed broader attributes of environmental democracy such as locals’ participation in all EIA stages and inclusion of experts on community issues in the EIA review panel to promote fairness, inclusivity, transparency during EIA.

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Biografii autori

  • Gideon Walter Mutanda, School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
    Mutanda Gideon Walter is a geography lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University. He holds a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science. Areas of research interest are: land reform, rural livelihoods, citizenship, environmental justice, democracy and governance.
  • Talent Murwendo, School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
    Murwendo Talent is a geography lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Environmental Policy and Planning. Areas of research interest are: global environmental change, wildlife management, geoinformation and vegetation phenology application.
  • Lawrence Sawunyama, School of Natural Science, Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
    Saunyama Lawrence is a Chemistry lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University. He holds an Msc degree in Chemistry. Areas of research interest are: water and air quality management.

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Publicat

2021-07-02

Număr

Volum 6 Nr. 5 (2021)

Secțiune

Articles