Miners told to manage holes even after halting operations

By Felix Andrew

Deputy minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Steven Kebwe

The government has directed mining companies to adhere to stipulated laws and regulations in managing their mines once they halt operations so as to avoid leaving huge holes which turn to mosquito breeding sites.


According to mining Act 14 of 2010 and environment management Act 20 of 2004, miners are obliged to have a mine closure plan which requires them not to leave mines with open holes after their operations, deputy minister of Health and Social Welfare Dr Steven Kebwe said in parliament yesterday.

Dr Kebwe was responding to a question raised by Josephine Chagula (Special Seats, CCM).

Chagula had wanted to know the government’s plan to reduce malaria prevalence in the gold rich town of Geita.

She said the region has a high rate of malaria prevalence mainly due to the mining holes left behind by mining companies and small scale miners after operations which turn to mosquitoes breeding sites.

Responding to the question, the deputy minister said the Vice President’s Office- Environment division and Local Government and Regional Administration should work with regional authorities to make sure that mining companies adhere to regulations.

He added that the investor is required to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and leave the environment safe.

He said the government will continue to work on reducing malaria infection in the Lake Zone including in Geita region.

Kebwe said the government has launched a campaign to fumigate houses in the area and distribute mosquito nets through the replacement universal mass campaign in efforts to reduce malaria prevalence, “this year the government will distribute over 900, 000 mosquito nets to every household in Geita town.

He said the exercise will begin soon after commencement of operation of the long awaited Kibaha anti mosquito insecticide factory located at Kibaha town in Coast Region.

“Expected to start operation this year, the 2.9bn/- project is meant to improve the country’s capacity in combating malaria by 2015,” said Dr Kebwe.

With biolarvicide, produced from sewage sludge conversion through fermentation to create a bio-agent that kills developing larvae, the country will be able to take the fight against malaria right to the source, the mosquito breeding grounds.
The plant supported by the Cuban government will have a capacity to produce at least six million litres of biolarvicide per year. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN