Concern for Matabeleland wildlife affected by coal mining
By Alex Bell
04 May 2012
Concern has been raised about the threat facing wildlife areas in
Matabeleland North with warnings that increased coal mining activity in the
area is having a negative impact there.
The Gwayi Valley Conservation Area has expressed fears that that the
establishment of coal mines will affect not only the wildlife but also the
tourism generated by the wildlife.
This is not the first time the group has raised concerns about the affect of
coal mining and in 2010 it sounded the alarm when the government allowed the
Liberation coal mine to start operating. The mine, situated in the Hwange
National Park and Binga areas, was ordered to stop operations last year
because of the risk it posed. Local groups also campaigned against the mine
because it was operating without an Environmental Impact Assessment
Certificate.
It has now been reported that another coal mining company, China Africa
Sunlight, has also started operating without an Environmental Impact
Assessment. The Gwayi Valley Conservation Area’s Chairperson, Mark Russell,
is quoted as saying that an initial consultation was not done with the
organisation before the new mine was given clearance to start operating.
“It is clear that no Environmental Management Agency regulations were
followed and no documentation is in place. We don’t see how the wildlife
producing farms will co-exist with mining activities and this will
definitely result in conflict,” Russell is quoted as saying.
Twenty different mining companies have been given concessions to prospect
and mine for coal in Matabeleland North. Since the mines started to operate
there have been increases in the pollution of boreholes and also wildlife
water holes.