Zimberly Mine blasting engender elephant turmoil in Hwange
Operations of Zimberly Mine in Hwange have elephants going wild and entering neighbourhoods as they run away from blasting carried out by the mine, Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) Executive Director Farai Maguwu has said.
According to Maguwu, since the opening of Zimberly Mine, Elephants have been causing havoc in communities near the mine with a recent situation where elephants destroyed a water tank at Lusumbami Primary School.
“Elephants have caused havoc at a Lusumbami Pry School in Hwange and recently destroyed a water tank erected by MP for Hwange, Hon Molokole using CDF funds. Who must take responsibility for replacing the tank and the tank stand?
“Since the opening of Zimberly Mine about 500 metres away, elephants have been entering neighbourhoods as they run away from blasting carried by the mine,” Maguwu said.
Maguwu said the residents have been complaining that houses are now cracking due to blasting by the mining firm.
“Children are now at great risk from these elephants. According to locals houses are cracking due to blasting. Who authorized mining a few metres from a residential area and a school?” Maguwu said.