Assessing the effectiveness of Esia stakeholder engagement among small scale gold miners in Bindura district

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) stakeholder engagement among small-scale gold miners in the Bindura District of Zimbabwe. It was guided by three objectives that is, assessing current engagement practices, identifying impeding challenges and evaluating impacts on environmental and social outcomes. Underpinned by stakeholder theory the study adopted a concurrent mixed-methods design. The quantitative data were collected from 293 small-scale miners via structured questionnaires. Results were analysed using SPSS Version 25.0 while qualitative data from seven key informant interviews were analysed thematically. Study findings revealed that current stakeholder engagement practices are largely procedural and tokenistic, characterised by infrequent consultations, limited information sharing, and minimal incorporation of feedback into ESIA reports (overall mean = 2.54/5.00). Key challenges were lack of awareness about ESIA procedures (M=4.27), technical complexity (M=4.18), limited financial resources (M=4.12), institutional mistrust (M=3.96), and political interference (M=3.71). The impact of engagement on environmental and social outcomes was modest with overall mean of 3.22/5.00 with notably low scores for reduction of environmental degradation (M=2.84) and addressing water pollution concerns (M=2.69). Qualitative findings reveals engagement as compliance-driven, shaped by power asymmetries and a systemic disconnect between engagement commitments and enforcement. The study concluded that ESIA stakeholder engagement in Bindura District falls significantly short of Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27] and EMA ESIA guidelines. Recommendations directed the Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Mines, local authorities, traditional leaders, mining associations, and NGOs, to address legislative reform, institutional restructuring, capacity building, and the development of more inclusive and culturally appropriate engagement mechanisms.