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

3.23.1 General description
3.23.1.1 Hydrology
This is Zone M (ZSG, 1984), located in the extreme northwest of Zimbabwe (Figure 3.2). The catchment is that
of the Matetsi River which flows into the Zambezi shortly below the Batoka Gorge. The western end of the
catchment contains the Kazuma Pan wetlands, a permanent wetland and grassy pan depression area.
3.23.1.2 Geology
The Upper Karoo Batoka Basalt Formation underlies the catchment, covered in some areas by Kalahari Sands
(Figure 3.6; ZGS, 1999).
3.23.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
The soils are in two groups: the Kalahari Sands and very shallow, gravelly soils overlying the basalts (DRSS,
1979). It lies within Natural Regions IV and V: fairly low and unreliable rainfall under 650mm per annum (ZSG,
1997; Surveyor General and AGRITEX, 1998). Land use is largely Parks & Wildlife Land and Forestry
Commission Land40, with sparsely populated Communal Land in the east and a few private farms along the
railway line (ZSG, 1998). Farming is generally extensive to semi-extensive: livestock and a few drought
resistant crops.
3.23.1.4 Surface water users
The only settlement of any size is the border post of Mpandamatenga. The other main use of water is use of
the Zambezi River for tourist purposes: white water rafting, scenic value, fishing and game viewing. The
Kazuma Pan wetlands are of critical importance to wildlife, including migratory birds (DNP&WM, 1990).
40 Kazuma Pan National Park, Matetsi Safari Area and Kazuma and Fuller Forest Lands
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