The company has faced mounting complaints from residents and environmental groups about its mining practices.

Blasting operations at the mine, sometimes conducted late at night, have caused significant disturbances. "The blasting sends tremors and shocks across the area," said Farai Maguwu, Executive Director at the Center for Natural Resource Governance. "Even a nearby hospital, located less than two kilometers away, is affected."

Environmental concerns extend beyond the blasting. According to Maguwu, the mine’s operations have led to cyanide contamination of water sources. “Cyanide from the mine washes into the Mutare River, which flows into the Ozie River. This has caused water pollution, threatening both the community's fields and livestock,” he said.
The region’s farming community has reported siltation of rivers due to topsoil erosion from the mine’s opencast operations. Livelihoods dependent on agriculture and livestock are being disrupted, with locals expressing fears over the long-term impact of these environmental issues.

Further compounding the problem, affected residents have alleged intimidation by government authorities. “These people were resettled during the fast-track land reform program. Now they are being threatened that if they complain about the Chinese company, they will lose their land,” Maguwu explained.

Efforts to address these issues have faced bureaucratic delays and resistance. A petition submitted in November 2023 to Zimbabwean authorities initially went unaddressed for five months. “We were told the petition was missing, and it took media pressure to bring attention back to the matter,” Maguwu said.

While the government eventually involved the Environmental Management Agency and the Ministry of Mines, no decisive action followed. Plans for a parliamentary field visit to assess the situation never materialized. “Our parliament is heavily compromised,” Maguwu stated. “Some parliamentarians have vested interests in environmentally destructive mining practices, which we suspect has stalled progress on this case.”

As the community waits for justice, residents and advocacy groups continue to call for urgent action to address the environmental and social harm caused by Sino Africa Huijin Holdings. “The livelihoods and safety of the people in this area must be prioritized,” Maguwu said.

--ChannelAfrica--