Govt suspends gold mining at EMJ Simiyu mine

SIMIYU: THE Government in Busega District, Simiyu Region, has suspended gold mining activities at the EMJ mine following citizens’ complaints that the water flowing from the mine seemed to be poisonous.

The gold mine is located on the border of the District and Bariadi District, where the people who complained are from the village of Imalamate located on the side of Busega District.

The move was announced yesterday by District Commissioner Aidha Salim, after meeting the citizens surrounding the Mine, where before making the announcement, he was able to visit all the areas affected by the water.

Speaking earlier, Imalamate ward councilor Mr Richard Magoti said one goat died after drinking the water while more than 80 others have become weak.

He said that apart from that, some rice fields cultivated near the mine have dried up after the water flowed to the farms. “This water is coming from inside this mine, it seems to be poisonous, it has flowed to the river which we use for domestic purposes and for our livestock as well as irrigation,” said Magoti.

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“On Friday we witnessed a large number of dead fishes in the water, birds and frogs have also died after drinking the water, until now my people are at great risk of losing their lives or getting health problems,” Mr Magoti lamented.

Ms Magreth James, one of the villagers, said the water has caused great harm to his body because his legs have swollen after soaking them in that water.

“Here, my feet are swollen after stepping on that water, my body gets pain, this water is dangerous, we ask the government to help us,” she said.

Chairman of the village, Mr Paul John, said the people have requested that the mine be closed because they no longer see any benefit since the river they were using is contaminated.

After listening to the residents, the District Commissioner said that the government has instructed the investor to immediately stop mining until completion of the water testing.

He said that experts from National Environment Management Council (NEMC) have started to take samples of the water to do tests to check if the water is actually poisoned and if so, to what extent.