Zimbabwe is experiencing worst mining practices that are not compliant to environmental rights enshrined in the constitution and the Environmental Management Act. National development programmes such as the NDS1 and US$12 Billion mining revenue targets have prioritise unbundling of the mining sector to accelerate Exclusive Prospecting Orders(EPOs), opening of new mines and resuscitation of closed ones in all minerals. The global demand for rare earth minerals like lithium to drive green energy has seen Zimbabwe becoming a target for lithium rush because it lies on a large deposit of lithium minerals. The unbundling of the mining sector has not been complemented by policy reforms to strengthen environmental protection.

The provision for the protection of dangerous workings and establishment of environmental rehabilitation fund had been proposed in the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. The bill has not sailed through parliament because it also had several provisions that were violating the constitution. The unbundling of the mining sector without a water tight governance framework has increased hazards of organised crimes, illicit financial flows and wanton degradation of the environment that is destroying ecosystems and sources of livelihoods.

Surveys carried out by CRD has revealed that mining operations were in violation of several environmental instruments on control of hazardous chemicals, mining without EIAs,water and air pollution and land degradation.CRD has been mobilizing communities in undertaking environmental audits and producing reports to relevant authorities seeking redress.CRD undertake community dialogue processes and media advocacy as part of its campaign to demand community protection from hazardous mining.