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Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.
Pascal Manyakaidze1, Steven Jerie2, Takunda Shabani*3, Tapiwa Shabani4, Sarah Ruth Moyo5
1aDepartment of Geography, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe.
Email: manyakaidzep@staff.msu.ac.zw | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0355-4239
1bCentre for Information Learning & Knowledge Transfer Department, Local Initiatives & Development (LID) Agency, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe. Email: pascal.manyakaidze@lidagency.org
2Department of Geography, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe.
Email: jeries@staff.msu.ac.zw | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0032-1643
3Centre for Information Learning and Knowledge Transfer Department, Local Initiatives and Development (LID) Agency, Stand 41 Donga Rural Service Centre, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe.
Email: research.office@lidagency.org | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8961-6749
4Centre for Information Learning and Knowledge Transfer Department, Local Initiatives and Development (LID) Agency, Stand 41 Donga Rural Service Centre, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe.
Email: research.office@lidagency.org | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3218-5743
5Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, P. Bag 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe. Email: sarahruthmoyo@gmail.com
*Corresponding author
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3): 108-137. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080306
Received: 26 August 2025
Reviewed: 07 November 2025
Provisionally Accepted: 12 November 2025
Revised: 25 November 2025
Finally Accepted: 29 November 2025
Published: 27 December 2025
The concept of sustainable communities is threatened by various factors, including increased construction and demolition (C&D) waste from the mining sector. Construction and demolition waste from mines contributes to socio-economic and environmental problems. This accentuates the need to shift to a circular economy approach that minimises C&D waste generation and disposal. This study focused on integrating the circular economy into the management of C&D waste from Unki Mine to create sustainable mining communities. A mixed-methods research design was employed to integrate qualitative and quantitative methods. The semi-structured household survey included 42 respondents. A total of 7 key informants were interviewed, and 1 focus group discussion was held with 9 participants. Data collection employed semi-structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Findings show that C&D waste, including concrete, metal, rocks, plastics, timber, bricks, soil, and tiles, was generated by Unki Mine operations. A large proportion of the waste was composed of metals (27.87%), soil, sand, and rock (24.59%), and a combination of rubble and concrete (21.31%). Only 8.51% of respondents indicated awareness of Unki Mine’s approach to waste segregation. Key circular economy practices included repurposing timber and metal waste and the repurposing of rubble and concrete to build structures, pavements, and for gully reclamation. The mine's plans aim to expedite the implementation of approaches that convert waste into energy. The mine’s infrastructure development, policy implementation, waste auditing, and awareness programs that support resource circularity, aimed to create sustainable communities in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11.
Sustainability; Circular economy; Sustainable community; Construction and demolition waste; Unki mine host communities
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Manyakaidze, P., Jerie, S., Shabani, T., Shabani, T., & Moyo, S.R. (2025). Promoting Sustainable Mining Communities through Integrating the Circular Economy in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Case of Unki Mine, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3), 108-137. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080306
Manyakaidze P., Jerie S., Shabani T., Shabani T., Moyo, S.R. Promoting Sustainable Mining Communities through Integrating the Circular Economy in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Case of Unki Mine, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2025, 8 (3), 108-137. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080306
Manyakaidze, Pascal, Jerie, Steven, Shabani, Takunda, Shabani, Tapiwa, Moyo, Sarah Ruth. 2025. “Promoting Sustainable Mining Communities through Integrating the Circular Economy in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Case of Unki Mine, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 no. 3: 108-137. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080306
Manyakaidze, Pascal, Steven Jerie, Takunda Shabani, Tapiwa Shabani and Sarah Ruth Moyo. 2025. “Promoting Sustainable Mining Communities through Integrating the Circular Economy in Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Case of Unki Mine, Shurugwi, Zimbabwe”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 (3): 108-137. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080306
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