By Staff Reporter
Lithium mining by Chinese companies in Buhera is causing widespread land degradation, sparking concerns among local villagers over destroyed farmland, shrinking grazing areas, and long-term environmental damage.
Residents in Buhera’s Ward 4 say vast tracts of once-productive land have been cleared to make way for open-pit mines and access roads, leaving deep scars on the landscape. Farmers who relied on the land for crops and livestock now struggle to find suitable areas for cultivation and grazing. “The soil is being stripped away, and our fields are gone” said one villager who preferred ununity. “We don’t know how we will survive” he added
Environmentalists warn that uncontrolled mining is worsening soil erosion and deforestation in the district. Dust and chemical run-off from the mines threaten water sources, further endangering agriculture and wildlife. Expert organisations such as the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (NRG) note that, without proper rehabilitation the land could remain barren for decades.
Local leaders allege that mining activities began without adequate consultation. In line with the research in the China Index 2024 https://china-index.io/ some members of the Buhera community argue that while mining brings short-term economic promises, the long-term damage far outweighs the benefits. They call for government intervention in enforcing stricter environmental regulations and ensure land restoration plans are put in place.
As lithium demand surges globally for use in electric vehicle batteries, Buhera finds itself at the center of an environmental dilemma—balancing economic opportunities against the irreversible loss of fertile land and natural heritage.
