Hwange residents have raised alarms over an application filed by the Chinese company, Sunny Yi Feng (Private) Limited, seeking an Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) in the district. Locals fear the move could have devastating effects on the environment and public health.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to General Notice 82 of 2025 published in the Government Gazette, the company has applied for EPO No. 04 of 2021, targeting areas in the Matabeleland North mining district, particularly Hwange and Victoria Falls. The application, which remains under review, seeks to conduct coal prospecting in a region currently reserved against mining.
Fidelis Chima, the coordinator of the Greater Hwange Residents Trust (GWRT), expressed particular concern over plans to prospect near Sinamatella Camp, a significant tourist attraction. “The proposed coal prospecting covers 16,000 hectares and is just 7.8 kilometers from Sinamatella Camp, a key wildlife and tourism area,” Chima said. “This land has been protected from mining activities since 2020, following the government’s ban on mining in national parks. However, reports indicate that Sunny Yi Feng still intends to proceed with coal mining within this protected zone.”
Chima warned that mining activities in the area would disrupt wildlife corridors and increase human-wildlife conflicts. “Mining near Sinamatella will disturb critical habitats, leading to more encounters between wildlife and local communities,” he added.
The issue of environmental and health risks associated with coal mining in Hwange has long been a concern for residents. In December 2024, the GWRT submitted a petition to Parliament, urging an investigation into pollution caused by mining companies operating in the region. Residents have reported significant health issues, including respiratory diseases linked to coal dust exposure.
In response to the petition, Parliament assigned a portfolio committee to investigate the matter further. The petition also called for a review of the Pneumoconiosis Act (Chapter 15:08), with residents arguing that they are not being adequately protected from air and noise pollution. They also highlighted being denied regular medical check-ups to assess coal dust-related health impacts, particularly on their hearts and kidneys.
The GWRT asserts that their rights under Section 73 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which guarantees a clean and healthy environment, are being violated. “The Constitution protects our right to an environment that does not harm our health and well-being. We must ensure that the environment is safeguarded for both current and future generations,” Chima concluded.
