GOVERNMENT has cracked the whip on some Chinese companies suspected of fuelling environmental damage in Hurungwe through alluvial mining along Sanyati River.
The Environment Management Agency (Ema) recently banned two Chinese mining companies that were operating along Sanyati River.
One of the companies was operating on the Hurungwe side while the other had started clearing land on the Kariba rural side.
Sanyati River borders Hurungwe and Kariba rural districts and is about 190 kilometres west of Karoi farming town.
The two companies had heavy equipment including an excavator, water pump, among other machinery where they operated along the river.
Mashonaland West Ema provincial spokesperson Munyaradzi Nhariswa confirmed that Ema visited Sanyati River in response to a complaint regarding unauthorised mining activities.
“Indeed, two companies were identified: Riverlion (Pvt) Ltd situated on the Hurungwe side and Baimei Investments located on the Nyaminyami side,” Nhariswa said.
“Riverlion (Pvt) Ltd was engaged in riverbed mining activities along the Sanyati River, with open workings and a wash plant within the river.
- 6 Byo gold panners, sand poachers nabbed
- Environment friendly sewage pond treatment plan unveiled
- Harare mayor fires salvo at govt
- ‘I quit teaching to pick waste for a living’
Keep Reading
“The company was sanctioned for excavating and modifying the river channel as defined in the Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27] as read with Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007, as well as storage and usage of hazardous substances without the required licence from the agency as required in terms of Statutory Instrument 268 of 2018.”
He said Baimei Investments, situated on the Nyaminyami side, had cleared land on the adjacent mountain for exploration purposes.
“The company was sanctioned for implementing a prescribed project without an Environmental Impact Assessment certificate as required in terms of the Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27],” he said.
“Both companies were served with environmental protection orders directing them to cease all mining activities immediately and relocate their equipment 500 metres away from the Sanyati River.
“The order directed them to only recommence operations once they obtain the necessary licences.”
The companies had tampered with riverbeds as defined in Ema regulations which attracts a level 14 fine.
“Procedurally mining is a prescribed project in terms of section 97 of the Environmental Management Act [Cap 20:27] and therefore requires the commissioning of an Environmental Impact Assessment report which should be submitted to the agency for approval before commencement of any works,” Nhariswa said.
“Any person who knowingly implements a project in contravention of section 97 of the Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”
Six officials including four Chinese namely Fang Hongjun, Shao Guokun, Yao Jlangang, Song Laixin, Jin Daowel and Munyaradzi Karumanzondo have since been dragged to court over illegal operations.
A Centre for Natural Resources Governance research titled Investments or Plunder? An Assessment of the Impacts of Chinese Investments in Zimbabwe's Extractive Sector revealed that Chinese mining operations in the country are synonymous with severe environmental degradation, disregard for local cultures and appalling labour practices.
Zimbabwe treats China as an all-weather friend after Beijing opened its arms for Harare when the southern African country had fallen foul of the West over human rights violations and governance deficit.
The country’s Look East policy has resulted in an influx of Chinese companies as they seek investment opportunities. There are some Chinese firms that are accused of disregarding the country’s laws. Their employees are working under unbearable conditions with no safety clothing. These firms evade taxes and do not bank sales proceeds amid fears they could be shipping the money outside the country.
