The Zimbabwean tourist attraction and Unesco World Heritage Site, Mana Pools, could be under threat after a mining company applied for a licence to explore for oil and gas in the national park.
According to a government notice, Shalom Mining Corporation has applied for a licence for exploration in areas covering 130,000 hectares, which includes Mana Pools National Park, along the Zambezi River.
“It is hereby notified, that in terms of section 87 (4) of the Mines and Minerals Act, that Shalom Mining Corporation has applied to the Mining Affairs Board for an exclusive prospecting order, over an area described in the schedule, in the Mashonaland West mining district.
“The applicant intends to prospect for petroleum oil and gas within the area which has been reserved against prospecting pending determination of this application. Prospecting authority is sought upon registered base mineral blocks within the reservation,” read the government notice.
The notice added Shalom is a Zimbabwean company, with Pfungwa Kunaka as chairperson. Objections to Shalom Mining’s application will have to be filed to a government mining board by May 19.
Mana pools has a diversity of wildlife providing a home to buffalo, Nile crocodiles, elephants and more than 380 bird species. Unesco describes Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari areas as “home to a remarkable concentration of wild animals, including elephant, buffalo, leopard and cheetah.
“An important concentration of Nile crocodile is also be found in the area.”
It’s going to destroy 600,000 hectares of land which is a world heritage site, that is the environment and it will endanger, if not kill, all of the animals there — elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah.
— Environmentalist, Portia Nicole Davies
Conservation groups are petitioning for the mining exploration to be stopped as it would disrupt the wildlife and cause environmental damage to the national park, the petition has gained more than 10,000 signatures.
Farai Maguwu, the director of Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), told TimesLIVE Premium the exploration would be destructive for the national park and have a negative impact on the country’s tourism industry.
“We strongly oppose anyone to do oil and gas exploration, especially given that oil is very destructive to the environment. We are also aware of the escalation of human and wildlife conflict in the event the national park is disrupted by oil drilling activities. There will be noise, water and land pollution. These animals will be forced to change their migration routes, forcing them to wander into villages. The mining exploration has to be stopped, it’s also going to affect tourism, it may not only affect Mana Pools, but the entire tourism in Zimbabwe will suffer,” Muguwu said.
In a contradictory move, early this month, President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the Responsible mining initiative programme to promote sustainable mining practices. During the launch, Mnangagwa said the programme’s aim is to be stewardship of natural resources and have more responsible mining operations.
“The programme is an indispensable undertaking in my government’s quest to exercise good stewardship over the many natural and mineral resources in Zimbabwe. The situation, where the sector is characterised by malpractices such as environmental degradation, mineral leakages and haphazard operations conducted outside the legal provisions of our country can never be condoned,” said Mnangagwa.
Portia Nicole Davies, an environmentalist, said the mining exploration at the national park is unconstitutional. “It’s going to destroy 600,000 hectares of land which is a world heritage site, that is the environment and it will endanger, if not kill, all of the animals there — elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah. It’s also going to have a negative impact on the tourism industry in that area. Overall, the application is unconstitutional in terms of the constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe — section 73 specifically,” said Davies.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.