Geita Gold Mine fined Sh10m over pollution

What you need to know:

  • The deputy minister of State in Vice President’s Office (Union and environment), Mr Kangi Lugola, directed that the company be punished for releasing dust around residential areas, putting dwellers’ health at risk.

The National Environment Management Council (NEMC) has been directed to slap a fine of Sh10 million to Geita Gold Mine (GGM) for polluting the environment.

The deputy minister of State in Vice President’s Office (Union and environment), Mr Kangi Lugola, directed that the company be punished for releasing dust around residential areas, putting dwellers’ health at risk.

Mr Lugola also gave NEMC 30 days to probe whether GGM had complied with government’s directives which required it to control the dust from entering people’s homes. “If GGM is found to have violated our instructions then it will be closed.”

According to a deputy minister, the international standard provides that the dust from mining sites to people’s homes be between 60 and 90mgs but the firm has been found to have caused up to 613mgs

“GGM has violated the Environmental Act No. 20, and it will be subjected to pay a fine of Sh10 million. This should also be a lesson to other mining companies operating in Tanzania,” said Mr Lugola.

On Wednesday, Mr Lugola also directed GGM lawyer David Nzaligo to be detained, saying he refused to provide the minister with a report on an investigation into effects of using explosives in extracting minerals to surrounding communities.

Mr Lugola also directed the regional government and GGM to compensate people living within the site in 30 days.

“Their houses have cracked due to explosions, and they can’t do any economic activity. All they need it to be compensated before they leave there.”

However, he hailed the Busolwa mine for adhering to the law on environmental protection.

Meanwhile, Neerika mine has been fined Sh2 million for starting mining without conducting an environmental impact assessment contrary to the law.