From Gold to Grief: The Psychological Toll of Climate Change on Mining Communities in Zimbabwe

Moses Nyakuwanika () and Manoj Panicker
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Moses Nyakuwanika: Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa
Manoj Panicker: Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates the psychological effects of climate change on gold mining communities in Zimbabwe. This research employs comprehensive interviews with miners, health professionals, and community leaders, who were selected using purposive sampling, to examine the emotional responses, such as eco-grief, anxiety, and helplessness, resulting from environmental degradation. Utilizing thematic analysis, we delineate core psychological themes and propose integrated policy solutions. This study identifies a gap in the existing literature regarding climate and mental health by investigating a vulnerable population in sub-Saharan Africa that has been inadequately studied. Many participants voiced grave concerns about their surroundings and how they impact their cognitive abilities, which calls for the creation of comprehensive laws that consider the effects of both weather-related and mental health conditions. Further research should concentrate on intervention studies to improve the efficacy of strong intellectual fitness support tailored to the challenging conditions encountered by mining communities, as well as longitudinal studies to determine the long-term mental effects of weather alternatives. A few of the recommendations include making sure that underrepresented viewpoints are considered at some stage of the decision-making process and boosting network resilience via information sharing and education. This study promotes a holistic strategy that combines health fitness treatments with environmental sustainability initiatives to guarantee a more resilient and healthy future for Zimbabwe’s mining communities.

Keywords: gold mining; climate change; mental health; climate anxiety; sustainable practices; environmental degradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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