Jacob Mudenda, who leads Zimbabwe's Parliament, rejected plans for coal mining inside Hwange National Park. A Chinese company named Sunny Yi Feng had asked permission to search for coal in the Sinamatella area of the park. Mudenda suggested they find another location since plenty of coal exists elsewhere in the country.
At a recent training event for tourism committee members, Mudenda pointed out several untapped coal deposits. He mentioned areas in southern, southeastern, and southwestern Binga with abundant coal reserves. Mudenda asked why anyone would harm wildlife's natural habitat when alternatives exist. He stressed the importance of keeping national parks free from mining activities.
Zimbabwe National Parks officials strongly opposed the mining proposal. They asked the Ministry of Mines to cancel the application for exclusive prospecting rights. The area under threat contains a special protection zone for endangered black rhinos. Park officials urged the ministry to reject all similar applications going forward.
ZimParks highlighted serious environmental concerns about the proposed project. They warned the mining would make existing land damage much worse. The parks authority already faces the challenge of restoring thirty percent of damaged ecosystems by 2030. Their statement last Friday emphasized that mining poses a significant threat to the protected environment.
At a recent training event for tourism committee members, Mudenda pointed out several untapped coal deposits. He mentioned areas in southern, southeastern, and southwestern Binga with abundant coal reserves. Mudenda asked why anyone would harm wildlife's natural habitat when alternatives exist. He stressed the importance of keeping national parks free from mining activities.
Zimbabwe National Parks officials strongly opposed the mining proposal. They asked the Ministry of Mines to cancel the application for exclusive prospecting rights. The area under threat contains a special protection zone for endangered black rhinos. Park officials urged the ministry to reject all similar applications going forward.
ZimParks highlighted serious environmental concerns about the proposed project. They warned the mining would make existing land damage much worse. The parks authority already faces the challenge of restoring thirty percent of damaged ecosystems by 2030. Their statement last Friday emphasized that mining poses a significant threat to the protected environment.
