Mnangagwa-linked gold mine fined over pollution

ZIMCN Investments, a company reportedly linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son, Collins, has been fined for violating environmental regulations at its gold mining operation in Mashonaland East. The penalty follows an incident in which villagers in Mudzi lost several cattle after allegedly consuming cyanide-contaminated water from the Nyamusanzara River, which runs through the gold-rich Makaha area where ZimCN operates Radnor Mine.

The case has sparked renewed concerns about the environmental and health risks posed by mining operations to local communities. Cyanide, a toxic chemical commonly used in gold mining to extract gold from ore, is banned in some countries due to its hazardous effects on both human health and the environment.

According to state media, Collins Mnangagwa chairs the board of Radnor Mine, and the multi-million-dollar ZimCN plant was officially commissioned by the president in 2022.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has confirmed that ZimCN was fined for its environmental infractions, though the precise source of contamination is still under investigation. EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange explained that water samples from the Nyamusanzara River had been taken for analysis, with the results expected to pinpoint the exact nature of the contamination and its origin.

"While the source of the contamination is still to be established, it is suspected that it is coming from a nearby mine," Sidange said. "However, EMA issued ZimCN with a ticket for mining procedures likely to cause environmental pollution, and an environmental protection order was given to the company to implement pollution abatement measures."

The company has been flagged for the livestock deaths, which are suspected to be linked to cyanide contamination in the river. The EMA has called for mining ventures with tailings dams, like ZimCN, to implement necessary pollution control measures to prevent further environmental damage.

"Mining companies must deepen and widen cut-off trenches around tailings dams to contain effluent and prevent discharge into the environment," Sidange noted. She further emphasized the importance of pollution abatement measures to safeguard local ecosystems and public health, especially in areas where mining activities have caused significant environmental damage.

In the aftermath of the incident, several children who swam in the contaminated river were taken to Luisa Guidotti Hospital at All Souls Mission in Mutoko for precautionary treatment. While EMA is not involved in livestock management or compensation processes, they advised referring questions about the cattle deaths to the Department of Veterinary Services.

EMA was unable to confirm whether compensation for the affected livestock had been provided. A spokesperson from the Department of Veterinary Services declined to comment, referring inquiries to the institution's chief director, who had not responded by the time of publication.

ZimCN's general manager, Collins Musarurwa, had previously requested written questions but had not responded to emailed queries at press time. When contacted last week, Musarurwa had acknowledged the situation, assuring that the company was cooperating with authorities to determine the cause of the livestock deaths. He denied that the deaths were definitively caused by cyanide, suggesting that laboratory tests would provide clarity.

"ZimCN is aware of the situation and is working hard to determine the root cause of the livestock deaths. We cannot say that it was because of any chemicals. This is an ongoing process," Musarurwa had said. "We are working with the environmental agency, and our mining setup is in compliance with the law."

However, an affected villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, insisted that the deaths were indeed caused by cyanide contamination, claiming that mining operations, including those of ZimCN, were responsible for polluting the water.

"Our understanding is that the cattle died from drinking water contaminated with waste discharged by the mining firms, including ZimCN," the source said.

The investigation into the incident continues, with the future of the operation and its environmental practices hanging in the balance. A search at the Registrar of Companies revealed no available records for either Radnor Mine or ZimCN, further complicating the situation.

The fine against ZimCN and the ongoing scrutiny of its operations highlight the broader environmental challenges posed by mining activities in Zimbabwe, where pollution and the management of toxic substances like cyanide remain significant concerns for both local communities and the government.