shall include those necessary for the improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene. 7. Findings 7.1. Blasting is occurring at Murowa Diamond Mine in Mazvihwa community as witnessed by the ZHRC on 29 June 2017 at around 7:15am. 7.2. The blasting activity results in vibration of the ground and shaking of walls and roofs and rattling of windows of houses. The most affected houses are those in the vicinity of the blasting site, approximately one kilometre from the blasting site. 7.3. The blast noise is audible over a very large area surrounding the area of mining operation. The occurrence of the blasting causes a startling effect. The ZHRC experienced the impact of the blast at a homestead located approximately five hundred meters from the blasting zone. 7.4. The dust produced by the blasting is noticeably whitish and it results in temporary clouding of the surrounding area. The dust results in pollution of surrounding water bodies and also covers the vegetation. 7.5. The dust is smelly and if one continuously inhales it, results in coughing. 7.6. Several houses in the vicinity of the mine and close to the blasting site have developed cracks (including the houses that were built by the mine for some affected people). 7.7. From the interviews conducted with Chief Mazvihwa, Councillor Mvuto, some complainants and witnesses, it emerged that the community members were not consulted when the respondent and the local Member of Parliament hired consultants to carry out assessments of the levels of dust and the cracking of houses which resulted in the complainants discrediting the findings of the consultants’ reports. 7.8. There is lack of evidence to the allegation that in 2012, a number of children from Baradzanwa Primary School were taken sick as a result of dust pollution and were taken to Murowa Hospital. A report from an investigation carried out by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare Page 13 of 15