Residents of Hwange and surrounding communities have implored Parliament to enact laws that compel Chinese coal mining companies operating in the area to desist from environmental degradation and respect labour laws.
There are more than 10 mining companies mining and processing coal in Hwange.
Speaking at a consultative meeting conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development in Hwange, residents urged the government to protect local people and the environment, reported CITE.
Local communities raised a number of issues they want to be addressed, among them, environmental degradation, pollution, failure by mining companies to plough back to the community, destruction of infrastructure such as roads, exploitation and victimisation of labour.
Parliament is consulting citizens towards crafting a Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill that seeks to shape the future of mining activities in the country.
More: Pindula News