18 Nov. 21
Whither Dangamvura mountain?
There are developments currently taking place at Dangamvura mountain stand 13415 which we are made to believe are being carried out by a company called Freestone Mining Pvt Ltd The company will be engaged in quarry mining activities. The entity is reportedly owned and operated by Chinese investors. Manica Youth Assembly (MAYA) is obviously excited when investors choose Mutare, our city as their investment destination which will improve the local economy.
As, MAYA, we commend these investors and further state that in choosing Mutare which is in Zimbabwe, the investors are obliged to follow the laws of this great country as they set-up their entities. Due process has to be followed without which, problems are bound to arise. All investors should always bear in mind that whenever they set up operations, they must of course get the necessary legal approvals. The Deputy Mayor of Mutare is on record claiming that for Freestone “everything was done above board”, however they must get social approval from communities/stakeholders from where they operate which is equally important.
We note the communication issued by Council to the effect that Freestone Mining was operating without a valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) having been done and approved by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). This position from Council comes after a groundswell of public outcry over the activities of the company residents felt were shrouded in secrecy. Because there is no EIA, it makes it difficult for MAYA or any other stakeholder to root for such entities despite all the supposed benefits if any because there is no objective means of verification.
For over a week, concerned residents and stakeholders questioned the activities at the quarry site which where proceeding at lightning pace but all they got from Council were muted conflicting positions which did not help in anyway in answering the concerns raised by residents. Concerned residents and stakeholders were especially worried that the mining/quarrying activities directly infringed upon their rights enshrined under section 73 (a) and (b) (111) of the Constitution which state that every citizen has a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health and wellbeing and “secure ecologically sustainable development …while promoting economic and social development “
To this end, MAYA remain deeply concerned by the actions of Freestone Mining who with absolute impunity and disregard for the law chose to proceed with earthworks at their site without producing an Environmental Impact Assessment as required by the law. The EIA is produced after exhaustive engagement with all stakeholders who maybe affected directly and indirectly by the envisaged quarrying activities. It is through an EIA where all can tell whether the quarrying will be a secure ecologically sustainable development. An EIA involves consulting the affected communities and there is no record of Freestone ever conducting any meetings with any communities in Dangamvura, Natao/Destiny and road users since the quarrying site is 400 meters away from Chimanimani and Dangamvura link roads. There is also a main water pipe less than 100 meters from site and just 400 meters further, there are huge water reservoirs /tanks. There are many questions regarding the siting of this quarrying site. Will the blasting not affect the water reservoirs and the pipeline? How about the residents of the upcoming Natao/Destiny suburbs just across the road 600 meters away? Blasting does not just cause noise and air pollution but structural damage to buildings. This means that houses that will be put up by Natao/Destiny residents across the road will be on the direct line of fire pausing a real threat to life.
At least, had the company done the EIA, there will be enough information on the mitigation measures the company will employ to reduce these concerns. As MAYA, we condemn this big brother attitude displayed by Freestone of undermining the laws of the country disrespecting its hosts, City of Mutare and its residents. This attitude casts in very bad light the image of our Chinese friends who of late have been receiving the hard end of the stick for undermining local communities in Mutoko, Dinde (Hwange), Goromonzi, Uzumba and Manhize in Chivu. Natural resources should never be a curse for local communities but a source of wealth. It is this extractivism mentality that must be exorcized from these investors. We are worried by the seemingly business as usual demeanour displayed by our institutions especially EMA and Mutare City Council who stood akimbo while Freestone freely carved open Dangamvura mountain. Citizens need to trust their duty bearers at all times that they have their best interests covered not wrecked.
MAYA recommend that Freestone carries out an EIA urgently making sure that all stakeholders input into the process. The company also needs to improve on their communication with stakeholders so that everyone is kept informed of their planned course of action to allay their fears. They should be transparent in their operations. Mutare City Council and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) must exercise their oversight over entities by making sure they operate above board and in sync with set regulations. There are certain companies that have operated without carrying out EIAs to the detriment of local communities and the environment. It’s only a few days after another company was stopped from mining black granite at Kaseke village, Uzumba because it didn’t have an EIA causing despondency among host communities. These rules were put there for a purpose, that is to protect Communities.
We ask #HowFar Dangamvura mountain?
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