Dinde villagers continue to mount resistance to a proposed coal mining project in their community saying mining will disrupt their livelihood, damage their pristine environment, pollute the water, and the air and violate their cultural rights.
The community members met with Beifa Investments management and representatives from the Environmental Management Agency during a verification meeting by EMA on Friday the 17th of June 2022 at Dinde village. The meeting was held in terms of Section 10 (5) which provides that, ‘during a prospectus and Environmental Impact Assessment report review period, the Director General shall verify whether full stakeholder participation was undertaken when the Environmental Impact Assessment report was prepared.’
The meeting was attended by representatives from Hwange Rural District Council, District Coordinator’s Office, Zimparks and the Agricultural Extension office.
“We do not want mining here. While we have always objected to this project from the onset, Beifa Investments has proved us right and fortified our resolve by not honouring the promises they made during the exploration stage. The company did not honour the promises it made with regard to reclaiming the environment after exploration. They left open holes all over the village and to us, this was indicative of their disregard for our environmental laws.”
The ESIA report produced by the consulting company, Environmental Guardians Services (Private) Limited reveals that a total of 206 million tons of coal were discovered during exploration and the mine will have a lifespan of 14 years. According to local community members, a total of 25 households are targeted for relocation.
At the meeting, Beifa Investments sought to convince the community that coal mining in Dinde was the antidote to the socio-economic challenges faced by the community.
“They tried to convince us that the project is good for the community and promised to provide tap water for all the households in the area. However, they withheld information that just like other communities like Arda Transau which have been provided with tape water, we will have to pay for the water. We are happy with our communal life and do not think we will afford or have the capacity to foot water bills.
“The company also promised pastures for our livestock but again, we reminded them that our livestock has always had pastures. They are only coming to disturb and pollute the grazing lands,” said a community member who attended the meeting.
An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report which describes the mine as a project which “nature brings about immense benefit and development to the country” was presented to the community for verification of the submissions.
Community members unanimously said the proposed coal mine threatens livelihoods and the environment and contributes to the climate crisis.
“The coal mine will create health problems for us because it will damage our lands, displace us, pollute our water bodies which we depend on for domestic use and our livelihoods. Moreover, coal will lead to an increase in emissions that contribute to global climate change,” a community member told CNRG.
The ESIA report raises cultural and environmental concerns like the desecration of graves and pollution of Inyantue River, the air and soil. Coal seam fires which are ravaging Hwange will also start mushrooming in Dinde and surrounding areas, thereby affecting flora and fauna. The community anticipates an increase in soil erosion due to vegetation clearance and dust emissions due to the movement of haulage trucks. There are also graves within the proposed site of the mine.
The ESIA report also revealed that the mine will lead to gaseous emissions which will contribute to global warming and climate change.
Climate Change expert from the University of Johannesburg, Professor Patrick Bond said the acknowledgement of the coal’s contribution to climate change in the ESIA report is merely tokenistic as it does not consider the implications.
He queried if the consultant is aware of the “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (climate sanctions) which Zimbabwe’s European trading partners will impose on even poor countries’ exports if they are excessively CO2 intensive.”
Prof Bond said the presentation denied community members essential information as it does not unravel the “Social Cost of Carbon” associated with coal mining, associated methane gas leaks and combustion.
The unanimous rejection of the coal project by the Dinde community versus the optimism expressed by the coal mining company raises questions on whether the government of Zimbabwe listens to its citizens. For almost three years the community of Dinde has spoken on numerous occasions and through various channels, including petitioning parliament but Beifa Investments continues to push ahead.
CNRG calls on the government to cancel the Dinde coal project and instead invest in sustainable eco-friendly projects that can uplift the Dinde community out of poverty without affecting their health and their ecosystems.
CNRG Information department.
June 18, 2022 / Simiso Mlevu