Hwange residents oppose Chinese mining venture

Residents of Hwange have raised concerns over an application filed by the Chinese company, Sunny Yi Feng (Private) Limited, for an exclusive prospecting order in the district, which they claim could have severe consequences for the environment and public health.

According to the official Government Gazette under General Notice 82 of 2025, the company has applied for Exclusive Prospecting Order No. 04 of 2021, which pertains to areas in the Matabeleland North mining district, particularly in Hwange and Victoria Falls. The company intends to prospect for coal in a region that is currently reserved against prospecting while the application is under review.

Fidelis Chima, the co-ordinator of the Greater Hwange Residents Trust (GWRT), expressed concern, particularly over the planned coal prospecting activities near Sinamatella Camp, a renowned tourist site. "The applicant intends to prospect for coal within an area that covers 16,000 hectares, located just 7.8 kilometers from the Sinamatella Camp, a key tourist site," said Chima. "We are concerned as this area has been reserved from mining activities since 2020, when the government banned mining in national parks. Despite this, reports suggest that Sunny Yi Feng intends to engage in coal mining within this protected zone."

The GWRT remains opposed to the proposed prospecting and coal mining activities near Sinamatella. Chima further emphasized that such mining activities would disrupt wildlife corridors and exacerbate human-wildlife conflict in the area. "Mining near Sinamatella will disturb critical wildlife habitats, leading to more encounters between wildlife and local communities," he said.

Residents have long voiced concerns about the environmental and health impacts of coal mining in the region. In December 2024, the GWRT submitted a petition to Parliament urging an investigation into the pollution caused by coal mining companies operating in Hwange. Local residents have reported significant health risks, including respiratory illnesses and other ailments linked to coal dust.

In response to the petition, Parliament assigned the relevant portfolio committee to probe the matter further. The petition also called for a review of the Pneumoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08), as residents claim they are not being adequately protected from the harmful effects of air and noise pollution caused by nearby mining operations. Furthermore, residents have pointed out that they have been denied regular medical check-ups to assess the impact of coal dust on their health, particularly on their hearts and kidneys.

The GWRT contends that their rights are being violated under Section 73 of Zimbabwe's Constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment. "The Constitution protects our right to an environment that does not harm our health and well-being. We must ensure that the environment is safeguarded for both current and future generations," Chima concluded.

As the application for the exclusive prospecting order is under review, the residents of Hwange continue to advocate for the protection of their environment and health, urging authorities to take their concerns seriously and uphold the legal frameworks designed to protect both public health and Zimbabwe's natural heritage.