OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF MINING ON THE ... - IIED pubs

3.20 The Mazowe (Mozambique) sub-catchment
3.20.1 General description
3.20.1.1 Hydrology
This area comprises the downstream portion of the Mazowe River after it flows out of Zimbabwe. A large
number of seasonal streams drain eastwards from Zimbabwe into this zone. This portion of the Zambezi basin
lies in a relatively dry zone with annual rainfalls averaging between 550 and 650 mm.
3.20.1.2 Geology
This sub-catchment is underlain by quartzites, sandstones, granites and gneisses, underlain by Karoo
Supergroup sedimentary rocks. The rock formations are intruded by occasional small pegmatites and
Greenstone formations that are host to a variety of minerals including small deposits of gold.
3.20.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
Soils in the sub-catchment can be divided into two main groups:
• Shallow to moderate, sandy soils on the hillslopes and valleys; and
• Moderately deep sandy soils derived from quartzites and sandstones and associated alluvial material along
the floor of the Mazowe River valley.
Land use comprises a mixture of sparsely populated areas with subsistence agriculture and the small
communities associated with the small active mining ventures in this sub-catchment. Livestock consists almost
entirely of goats and most families rely on fish caught from the Mazowe River. Areas of vegetation have been
removed around settlements to make charcoal for fuel.
3.20.1.4 Surface water users
There is some consumption of water for small towns and communities, as well as for subsistence agriculture.
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