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ABSTRACT
This study examined the health and safety issues affecting artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Penhalonga, Ward 21, Mutasa District. A combination of questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs) and direct field observations were employed. Findings from the research revealed that artisanal miners suffered mainly from diseases such as malaria and sexually transmitted infections. Superstitions and myths were among the causes of accidents. Several measures adopted to address health and safety issues, include awareness campaigns, hazard identification and risk assessment. The research recommends that mining claim owners should increase education and awareness on the use of personal protective equipment.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Mark Makomborero Matsa
Mark Matsa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. He has a PhD in Geography, Masters in Environmental Policy and Planning and B.A Honours in Geography (University of Zimbabwe). He has been involved in teaching and supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students for the past ten years. Professor Matsa is well known for his research focus which includes Waste Management, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Land cover and land use changes, Water Resources Management, Food Security, Migration, Gender and the Environment, Biogeography and Ecosystems. He has been integrating remote sensing, statistics and qualitative techniques in his research. Professor Matsa has authored and co-authored more than 20 peer reviewed articles and book chapters. He has been presenting scientific papers at conferences as well as preparing technical reports.
Fortune Mazire
Fortune Mazire recently completed his B.Sc. Honours in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe (Midlands State University). For the past few months, he has been involved in helping undergraduate students to improve their academic writing skills. Fortune Mazire’s research interest includes sustainable natural resources utilization, safety, health and the environment, food security and rural livelihoods in general.
Tatenda Musasa
Tatenda Musasa is currently studying towards a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Geography and Environmental Studies at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. He has a B.Sc. Honours in Geography and Environmental Studies (Midlands State University). For the past few months he has been involved in teaching and helping undergraduate students to improve their academic writing skills. Tatenda Musasa’s research interest include sustainable natural resources utilization with more focus on wetlands, forest management, safety, health and the environment, food security and rural livelihoods in general. He has been integrating remote sensing, statistics and qualitative techniques in his research.
Rameck Defe
Rameck Defe is a Master of Philosophy student at Midlands State University studying the effectiveness resilience building interventions in rural communities to counter shocks and stressors. He has worked as a research assistant doing annual assessments of projects done by NGOs namely; CARE Zimbabwe, PLAN International, ICRISAT in rural communities of Chiredzi District under the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund. He has also contributed a research paper published with the Midlands State University Dyke on Occupational Safety Health and Environment. He has also worked on a book chapter to be published in Springer.