A LOCAL research group, Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd), says the neglect of communities where such natural resources as lithium are extracted is a cause for concern.
In a report, Zimcodd said government was failing to develop areas where natural resources were being mined, citing Goromonzi district, east of Harare where a lithium plant was recently commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Lithium is a crucial component in the production of lithium-ion batteries which power many modern devices, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
“Natural resources are supposed to benefit everyone in the communities from where they are being extracted and be a source of revenue that improves the public service delivery for everyone.
“This has, however, not been the case in Zimbabwe with specific reference to Goromonzi district,” Zimcodd said.
Zimcodd said Goromonzi remained poor with no social amenities.
“The whole of Goromonzi has one clinic, that is Chinyika Clinic which is providing poor service to its people. It is disturbing to note that despite the natural resource in the area, Chinyika does not have an ambulance and basic equipment such as a blood pressure (testing) machine,” Zimcodd said.
“The district of Goromonzi also has poor roads that need repairs and new construction also needs to take place considering that mining companies are transporting their minerals from the area.
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“There is (also) a growing concern (that) the dust (from lithium mining activities) might cause serious health issues which the poorly-equipped Chinyika Clinic will not be able to handle.”
Zimbabwe is home to Africa’s largest lithium reserves.
