The Speaker of Parliament has warned Chinese miner Sunny Yi Feng (Pvt) Ltd to keep its “hands off Hwange” following the company’s recent application to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to prospect for coal in Hwange’s Sinamatella area.
By Ryan Chigoche
The application has sparked fierce backlash, particularly from conservationists and environmental authorities. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has publicly called on the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to reject the proposal, citing serious ecological concerns.
According to ZimParks, the proposed mining project targets the Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone, a critical habitat for the endangered black rhino. Any mining activity in this area, they warned, would pose a severe threat to the species and disrupt the delicate ecosystem of Hwange National Park.
The issue reached Parliament, where Speaker Jacob Mudenda took a firm stance. Speaking at a recent meeting of Parliament’s Tourism Portfolio Committee, Mudenda made it clear that mining in Hwange National Park is not an option.
“I will not subscribe to mining in national parks. The place that has been identified in national parks for mining purposes is not the only place where you can find coal. We have coal in the southern parts of Binga and in the southeast of Binga—still virgin land. There is plenty of coal, so why disturb the ecology of the animals in national parks?” Mudenda said.
Hwange National Park is not just a wildlife sanctuary; it is also a vital pillar of Zimbabwe’s tourism industry. The park generates significant revenue and provides employment for over 25,000 people. Allowing mining in Sinamatella would likely deter tourists, dealing a blow to local businesses and communities that rely on sustainable tourism.
Beyond tourism, the environmental consequences of mining in a national park could be devastating. Increased air, noise, and water pollution would disrupt wildlife movement, while human activity in protected areas could escalate poaching threats.
Hwange National Park is home to Africa’s second-largest elephant herd and safeguards other critical wildlife species. Conservationists argue that preserving this biodiversity should take precedence over short-term economic gains from coal mining.
Concerns about Chinese mining activities in Zimbabwe extend beyond Hwange. In recent years, Chinese companies have repeatedly come under fire for disregarding environmental regulations and neglecting community welfare. Some of their mining operations have been outright illegal, further fueling public resentment.
As opposition to mining in Hwange grows, all eyes are now on the government to see whether it will uphold conservation priorities or bow to corporate interests.
