Environmentalists and community-based organizations are intensifying pressure on the Zimbabwean government to halt a proposed coal mining project by Chinese company Sunny Ye Feng within the Sinamatella camp of Hwange National Park.
The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), Greater Whange Residents Trust (GWRT), Citizens and Wildlife Networks (CWN), and other advocacy groups have expressed grave concerns about the potential consequences of mining in the protected area.
These concerns include the destruction of biodiversity, disruption of wildlife habitats, and an increase in human-wildlife conflict.
In a statement, CNRG warned that the proposed mining activities would also lead to job losses in the tourism sector, in addition to the environmental damage.
“The proposed mining activities would disrupt the tourism industry, undermine the park’s integrity, and threaten its role as a sanctuary for nature and sustainable tourism. Moreover, archaeological sites such as the Bumbusi National Ruins, which are vital to Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage and history, risk being vandalized,” CNRG stated. “The proposed activity will harm Zimbabwe’s reputation as a prime tourist destination, endangering thousands of jobs dependent on the sector.”
Environmentalists have also raised concerns about Sunny Ye Feng’s history of environmental violations, citing a recent closure order by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) due to pollution.
“Sunny Yi Feng has reportedly faced multiple project closures due to similar infractions, with the most recent being on 15 August 2020 after failing to comply with an earlier directive issued on 5 August 2020,” CWN’s statement read. “Given this history, it is troubling to consider the initiation of any new environmentally sensitive projects by this applicant.”
Hwange residents and other environmentalists have launched a petition to the Ministry of Mines, urging the government to prevent any mining activities within the national park.
Mashonaland West Member of Parliament Mutsa Murombedzi has also voiced her opposition on X, stating that the project poses a serious threat to crucial wildlife corridors and the tourism industry.
“A Chinese company’s plan to mine coal in Hwange’s Sinamatella Camp threatens vital wildlife corridors and jeopardizes tourism. We must protect our natural heritage from such destructive ventures. A big no to mining in our national parks!” she wrote.
Image: REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo
