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

This is Zone Z1 of Area C (ZSG, 1984). The area comprises a series of small sub catchments, whose rivers
flow from the hills south of Makuti and Vuti into the eastern basin of Lake Kariba (Figure 3.2). The largest of
these are the Charara (Chalala) and Nyaodza, neither of which is perennial.
3.31.1.2 Geology
See Figure 3.6 (ZGS, 1999). Mainly gneisses underlie the area, with Karoo Supergroup sedimentary rocks in
the land bordering Lake Kariba.
3.31.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
Soils in the area are all very shallow and gravelly (DRSS, 1979). The lakeshore area lies within Natural Region
V: low and erratic rainfall: below 650mm, and the hinterland lies within Natural Region IV: fairly low rainfall of
450mm to 650mm per annum (ZSG, 1997; Surveyor General and AGRITEX, 1998).
Land use comprises Hurungwe Communal Land and Zambezi Parks & Wildlife Land47 (ZSG, 1998). Farming
is mainly livestock production and drought resistant crops. The major settlements are Kariba Town and the
growing Magunje village.
3.31.1.4 Surface water users
There is some consumption of water for agriculture in the Communal Lands, as well as by Magunje. The other
major use is tourism on Lake Kariba: boating, fishing and game viewing.
3.31.1.5 Water management systems
The area falls under the Sanyati Catchment Council of ZINWA.
3.31.1.6 Human impacts on water resources (excluding mining)
The following could be expected to have an impact on water resources:
47 Charara Safari Area
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