Gold mining companies ‘pollute drinking water

Opposition Members of Parliament have warned that hundreds of villagers near gold mines may suffer from life threatening diseases because they are exposed to toxic effluents. Presenting the views of the Opposition in Parliament late on Tuesday, Mr Ali Khamis Seif (Mkoani – CUF), said the Geita Gold Mine (GGM) was discharging wastes into Mtakuja Dam. He said the North Mara Gold Mine in Tarime District, Mara Region was also discharging wastes into a river close to the mine. Mr Khamis said processing of gold was done using highly poisonous substances, including cyanide and mercury. “People use the water for cooking, drinking and washing,” the MP told the House and urged swift action to solve the problem including compensation to victims. The legislator further told the House that many industries in urban centres discharged effluents into rivers, lakes and other water bodies posing health risks to millions of people. He said the effluents included residues of mercury, chromium, lead, cadmium, cyanide, nitrates and other substances. He said some of the substances like mercury were heavy metals and their consumption posed lethal consequences. The opposition urged the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), to enhance control of industries and mines to ensure they strictly adhere to the law and environmental regulations. The MP also said that apart from water and land, there were industries including cement manufacturers which pollute the air. He said the Kiwira Coal Mine in Mbeya Region was among the culprits in polluting the air