For five decades, a barrier minefield divided Tembo Village. Running west to east, the Nyamutsanzara River and its gold-bearing seams cut across MAG Task 197, while pastures, baobab groves, and routes to families and markets remained trapped inside the minefield. Landmines shaped daily life: cattle grazed on depleted plots, women walked for hours to collect firewood, children from Chizinwe Village feared the shorter route to school, and panners worked only along the river’s edge, unable to follow gold seams into the bush. MAG’s clearance teams have released task 197 and the neighbouring MF task 198 is being released under UNDP and FCDO funding in a joint effort. Clearance reopened access to the river. “Before, we stood in one spot,” said miner Langton Kudzai (36). “Now we follow the gold belt. The fear is gone.” Released pastures have also revived livestock. Tembo Village Head, Mr. Jonasi, now grazes cattle on land he had avoided for more than 45 years. “Our cattle were thin. Now they are returning full. Milk is back in our homes.” Clearance restored access to the forest, enabling villagers to collect timber, thatching grass, charcoal, and baobab safely. After the area was cleared, women formed a baobab harvesting group, and Organic Farming Academy (OFA) began buying baobab at a new ward collection point, creating direct market access. “We pick without fear of landmines,” said Mr. Taisekwa Guze (43). “OFA bought 18 x 90 kg last month. I paid school fees for my children.” Safe routes across the former minefield reconnected Tembo Village with Chizinwe Village, restoring trade, school access, and social ties. The UNDP and FCDO-funded clearance does much more than remove explosive ordinance; it unlocks gold, grazing land, forest resources, and markets, transforming risk into rural livelihoods and dignity.