Zimbabwe Mining Firm Faces Fine Over Water Pollution.
A mining company linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son received a fine for breaking environmental rules in eastern Zimbabwe.
Cattle died after drinking from a river near ZimCN's Radnor Mine in Mudzi, local villagers report. The deaths sparked fresh worries about mining risks to nearby communities.
According to state media, Collins Mnangagwa, the president's son, chairs the mine's board. His father launched the multi-million dollar plant in 2022.
The Environmental Management Agency confirmed it fined ZimCN. "We suspect contamination from a nearby mine," said EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange. The agency collected water samples for testing.
ZimCN broke the rules "likely to cause environmental pollution," Sidange said. Officials ordered the company to add safety measures.
The mine uses cyanide to extract gold from ore. This common but toxic chemical can harm people and nature. Some nations ban its use in mining.
Children who swam in the polluted Nyamusanzara River went to Luisa Guidotti Hospital as a precaution. The agency declined to share details about livestock losses or compensation.
ZimCN manager Collins Musarurwa said the company helps officials investigate the deaths. "We cannot say chemicals caused this. Labs will provide answers," he stated.
One affected villager disagreed. "The cattle died from mining waste in the water," the person said, asking to remain unnamed.
The government banned riverbed mining twice last year to protect the environment. Mining can pollute air and water, damage land, and threaten local communities.
Officials want mines to improve their safety systems, including larger trenches around waste areas to prevent chemical spills.
A search for company records found no files for Radnor Mine or ZimCN in Zimbabwe's business registry.
A mining company linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's son received a fine for breaking environmental rules in eastern Zimbabwe.
Cattle died after drinking from a river near ZimCN's Radnor Mine in Mudzi, local villagers report. The deaths sparked fresh worries about mining risks to nearby communities.
According to state media, Collins Mnangagwa, the president's son, chairs the mine's board. His father launched the multi-million dollar plant in 2022.
The Environmental Management Agency confirmed it fined ZimCN. "We suspect contamination from a nearby mine," said EMA spokesperson Amkela Sidange. The agency collected water samples for testing.
ZimCN broke the rules "likely to cause environmental pollution," Sidange said. Officials ordered the company to add safety measures.
The mine uses cyanide to extract gold from ore. This common but toxic chemical can harm people and nature. Some nations ban its use in mining.
Children who swam in the polluted Nyamusanzara River went to Luisa Guidotti Hospital as a precaution. The agency declined to share details about livestock losses or compensation.
ZimCN manager Collins Musarurwa said the company helps officials investigate the deaths. "We cannot say chemicals caused this. Labs will provide answers," he stated.
One affected villager disagreed. "The cattle died from mining waste in the water," the person said, asking to remain unnamed.
The government banned riverbed mining twice last year to protect the environment. Mining can pollute air and water, damage land, and threaten local communities.
Officials want mines to improve their safety systems, including larger trenches around waste areas to prevent chemical spills.
A search for company records found no files for Radnor Mine or ZimCN in Zimbabwe's business registry.
