Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, which is being run by a company called BetterBrands owned by ZANU PF official and prominent gold dealer Pedzisai Scott Sakupwanya, has resumed operations.
The mine was temporarily closed by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) at the end of January this year after more than 20 people died in 13 months.
Manicaland provincial mining director, Elton Makumbe confirmed the reopening of Redwing Mine to The Manica Post. He said:
They were given the nod to reopen. The decision was made after consideration of the amount of work they have done in restoring sanity in the area.
They have conditions that relate to environmental stewardship, and security in terms of beefing up and warding off illegal miners as well as the need for mining protective implements.
It is important to note that this is not overnight work to implement some of the set safety and environmental conditions. They can do that while generating revenue.
Various factors were also considered including the economic aspect in terms of people’s livelihoods as well as their (BetterBrands) contribution to the fiscus.
To us, it is a welcome move, given that they have done a lot in restoring sanity in the area.
One of the conditions that we could not compromise on was the issue of gas monitors. They need to have gas monitors.
According to a joint statement issued by three civic groups, that is Centre for Research and Development (CRD), Ziva Community Empowerment Trust, and Penhalonga Youth Development Ratepayers Trust, on 22 January 2023, 100 artisanal have died at Sakupwanya’s mine since 2020.
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