By Staff Reporter
RENCO – Traditional leaders in the Nyajena area have added their voices to growing concerns over Renco Mine’s surface mining operations at Chebundi Mountain, saying villagers were being choked by smoke and dust from blasting, evacuated from their homes, and cut off from emergency services when the sole access road is closed during operations.
Recently installed Chief Nyajena, born Last Dzivakwe, said he had received letters of complaint from village heads and the local councilor in the affected area, detailing the suffering of their communities.
“I received letters of complaint from village heads and the local councillor who said they were being affected by smoke from the blasting. They also complained that during blasting, vehicles are stopped from both sides, those entering Renco and those exiting, thereby disrupting traffic flow and affecting those who would want to get emergency services,” said Chief Nyajena.
He said he was going to take up the matter with relevant authorities to make sure that locals were not affected by the mining operations.Headman Muchibwa, born Maseko Manyise, confirmed the development and called for urgent intervention.
“We are worried about the development. The locals have raised concerns against the surface mining since it started, but they haven’t reached an agreement with the company.
“Villagers are being evacuated from their homes during blasting, and I don’t think it’s good if the situation continues like that. There must be a solution that benefits all stakeholders, the mine and the locals,” said Muchibwa.
The complaints come amid heightened tension over the mine’s shift from underground to surface mining at Chebundi Mountain, a development that has pitted the company against the community.
For 50 years, the mine operated underground, coexisting with locals who lived and farmed on the surface.
But the recent gold rush forced the company to invest in surface mining, a cheaper option that has brought a host of challenges for surrounding villages.
The mountain, which cleaves Chiponda and Muvango villages, is not just a landmark; it is central to the survival of surrounding communities.
It serves as grazing land, a source of firewood, a hunting ground for small animals, and a place to harvest mopane worms and mushrooms.
It also holds deep religious and spiritual significance, as the forefathers of the community are buried there.Sources say the mine plans to displace around 55 households from Muvango Village and several from Chiponda, with the company intending to create trenches through the villages so that it can work on ore at the source rather than transporting it to the mine.
“There are plans by the mine to displace several households in Muvango and Chiponda Villages, with Chiponda Village being affected the most. The mine wants to continue with surface mining and does not want to continue carrying the ore to the mine but start working on it at the source, so they intend to create trenches that pass through the villages,” said a source.
Contacted for comment, Rio Zim head of corporate affairs Dr Wilson Gwatiringa, who had earlier said he needed to establish what was going on the ground first, said he was not at work for the past few days and would be able to comment after getting back to work after a day or 2
“I was not at work, so I am going to work tomorrow so you can get in touch on Thursday,” said Gwatiringa.
The road in question links the mine to Muchibwa Business Centre, the hospital, the school and the mini airstrip, and it passes through to Morgenster Mission, Nemamwa and Masvingo Town, meaning that even emergency vehicles and passengers with urgent commitments are held up during blasting.
Motorists told TellZim News that though the blasting time was short, it came with a lot of inconveniences, with no alternative route available.Locals have also raised concerns about the health and environmental impact of the dust and noise generated by the blasting, particularly for those living close to the area.
The situation has become a daily reality for those who rely on the road, with some calling on the mining company to at least have a blasting schedule to avoid the inconveniences.
