Published: 8 hours ago

Villagers in Uzumba, Mashonaland East province, are fiercely opposing a planned granite mining project by Chinese-owned Hong Ri Trading, accusing the company of environmental violations and forging key regulatory approvals, The Zimbabwe Independent has established.

The proposed mine, set to operate across Foto, Jenyura and Magaya villages, has ignited anger among locals who claim the company falsified an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate — a mandatory clearance issued by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

Villagers argue that large-scale quarrying will destroy their environment, contaminate rivers, and desecrate sacred ancestral shrines, echoing similar disputes in Mutoko district, where Chinese mining firms have previously faced community resistance over environmental degradation.

In an objection letter addressed to the Mashonaland East provincial mining director, and copied to the Ministries of Mines and Environment, Climate and Wildlife, the villagers demanded the immediate termination of Hong Ri's plans, warning that "any large-scale mining operation in this area [is] unsustainable for our livelihoods."

"The proposed mining project poses an irreversible threat to our community," the letter reads. "It will negatively impact the sustainability, health, environmental and cultural integrity of our community if not solved with urgency."

They warned that quarrying activities would lower the water table, dry up wetlands, and pollute the Chidye and Munwahuku rivers, which are vital for domestic use and irrigation.

"The hill and the surrounding area in which the claims lie is very sloppy and close to the Chidye River. The location is not only a drainage basin for Chidye River but also for Munwahuku River. Leachates from the mining area will eventually contaminate water from the rivers, which is detrimental to the people's well-being, livestock and crops," the letter stated.

The villagers also raised alarm over the destruction of cultural heritage sites.

"Our sacred cultural shrines will be tampered with as dozens of graves will be exhumed," the letter continues. "As culturalists in this area, we respect the sanctity of the dead and are not at liberty to accept a project which will potentially destroy graves of our relatives."

Community representatives questioned the authenticity of Hong Ri's EIA, claiming inconsistencies in the company's documents.

"This prompted us to request Hong Ri's EIA report, which upon scrutiny, we are convinced beyond reasonable doubt was fabricated," they alleged. "The project address on the cover page of the EIA report is wrongly written as Jenyura Village, Ward 14, yet the claim borders Foto, Jenyura and Magaya villages."

However, EMA spokesperson Amkele Sidange confirmed that the agency had indeed granted Hong Ri an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) certificate, but stressed that strict conditions were attached.

"EMA issued an ESIA certificate to Hong Ri Trading for a planned project running under the name Chiwanda Black Granite Mining, under strict conditions that must be complied with before project commencement," Sidange said. "The project proponent identified all potential risks to the environment and suggested abatement measures in the ESIA report to the satisfaction of the agency."

Despite the confirmation, villagers remain unconvinced, accusing the company of misleading local leaders and authorities.

Repeated attempts by The Independent to obtain comment from Hong Ri's representative, Liu Xiakun, and from the Mashonaland East provincial mining director were unsuccessful by the time of publication.

The dispute underscores growing tensions between rural communities and Chinese mining interests in Zimbabwe's resource-rich districts. In nearby Mutoko, which accounts for about 75% of Zimbabwe's granite exports, residents have long complained of environmental damage and cultural desecration caused by foreign-owned quarrying firms.

As the controversy deepens, the Uzumba villagers' defiance marks yet another flashpoint in the complex debate over the costs and benefits of foreign investment in Zimbabwe's extractive industries.
- Zimbabwe Independent

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