News / Regional
Row over establishment of coal mines in Gwayi conservancy area
02 May 2012 at 16:14hrs | Views
The Gwayi Valley Intensive Conservation Area has expressed fears that that the establishment of coal mines in the Gwayi area of Matabeleland North will have a negative impact on the the hunting and photographic safaris in the wildlife-rich area.
The organisation initially raised concerns when government gave a green light for Liberation Mine to operate in the area. There are fresh fears that another coal mining company China Africa Sunlight that has started operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment will worsen teh situation.
Chairperson of the Gwayi Valley Intensive Conservation Area, Mark Russell said initial consultation were not done with the organisation, but with individual farmers thereby creating confusion.
Russel said the situation will result in a conflict between the company and farmers as well as another conflict between the company and wildlife as the conservancy forms part of the corridor for various species including the Presidential herd of Elephants.
"It is clear that no Environmental Management Agency regulations were followed and no documentation is in place. We don't see how the wild life producing farms will co exist with mining activities and this will definitely result in conflict," he said.
The Environmental Impact Assessment is almost 80% complete and it is expected to be submitted to EMA for approval within the next two weeks. Meanwhile the open cast coal mining activities will affect 32 farms in the conservancy where more than 1000 people reside.
The organisation initially raised concerns when government gave a green light for Liberation Mine to operate in the area. There are fresh fears that another coal mining company China Africa Sunlight that has started operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment will worsen teh situation.
Chairperson of the Gwayi Valley Intensive Conservation Area, Mark Russell said initial consultation were not done with the organisation, but with individual farmers thereby creating confusion.
"It is clear that no Environmental Management Agency regulations were followed and no documentation is in place. We don't see how the wild life producing farms will co exist with mining activities and this will definitely result in conflict," he said.
The Environmental Impact Assessment is almost 80% complete and it is expected to be submitted to EMA for approval within the next two weeks. Meanwhile the open cast coal mining activities will affect 32 farms in the conservancy where more than 1000 people reside.
Source - Byo24News
