The Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, called on miners to avoid Hwange National Park and instead extract coal from other areas of Matabeleland North Province, where it is plentiful.
This follows a proposal by the Chinese company Sunny Yi Feng to launch a coal mining project in Sinamatella, a part of Hwange National Park. 
Sinamatella is a critical habitat for black rhinos and supports a growing population of this endangered species.
During a parliamentary session on tourism, Mudenda urged coal miners to focus on untapped coal deposits in Binga, leaving Hwange National Park undisturbed. He said:
<blockquote>
I will not subscribe to mining in national parks. The place that has been identified for mining purposes is not the only location where coal can be found.
We have coal in the southern part of Binga, as well as in the southeast and southwest of Binga—still virgin land with plenty of coal deposits.
Why disturb the ecology of the animals there?
</blockquote>
Bhejane Trust, a non-profit wildlife conservation organisation based in Victoria Falls, recently warned that the effects of coal mining in Sinamatella would extend beyond wildlife. 
The organisation said that tourism in the area would suffer, leading to the closure of tourist camps, loss of business, and damage to the park’s infrastructure.
The Trust also expressed concerns that mining operations would likely result in severe water pollution, destruction of infrastructure, and social issues such as prostitution, with little to no benefit for the country.
Such activities would disrupt the park’s ecosystem, threaten biodiversity, and severely impact wildlife habitats, particularly those of black rhinos.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has also called on the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to reject Sunny Yi Feng’s application to prospect for coal in Sinamatella, citing concerns that mining would increase the risk of species extinction and hinder the recovery of animal populations.

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Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, says miners should not mine in Hwange National Park. Chinese company Sunny Yi Feng wants to mine coal in the park, but it's home to black rhinos that need protection. Mudenda wants miners to go to other areas in Matabeleland North where there is plenty of coal. Bhejane Trust warns that mining in the park will hurt tourism and wildlife. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority also says mining in the park should be stopped to protect endangered species.

Mudenda Condemns Sunny Yi Feng's Proposal To Prospect For Coal In Sinamatella

Zimbabwe’s Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, has urged coal mining companies in Hwange to build power plants to use their large thermal coal stockpiles.
Thermal coal is collected during the process of mining for coking coal, which is found deeper underground. 
Extracting coking coal involves removing an upper layer of earth, followed by a thick layer of thermal coal, which makes up about 70% of the total deposits.
Minister Moyo is worried that these large piles of thermal coal could become a fire hazard. He suggested that the companies use this coal to produce electricity and reduce the risk.
Addressing delegates at the National Competitiveness Commission summit in Bulawayo last week, Minister Moyo said (via <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/government-urges-investments-in-thermal-power-plants/">The Herald</a>):
<blockquote>
(The companies) have piled a number of tonnes and tonnes of thermal coal. And we are now, as Government, urging them to say, you already have thermal coal, and it will become a hazard.
It will start causing fires. Why don’t you turn it and bring plants so that you can produce power. Because you already have sunk your money in the production of this coal, which was at the top.
And what we are calling upon them is (to say), why don’t you go the last step and produce thermal power from your coal?
</blockquote>
Minister Moyo also encouraged companies and households to generate their own electricity to ease the pressure on the national grid, as Zimbabwe is currently facing electricity shortages.

Zimbabwe's Energy Minister wants coal mining companies to build power plants to use up their extra coal. This coal is a fire hazard, so it's better to use it for making electricity. The Minister also wants people to make their own power to help with the electricity shortage. Hopefully, this will help make sure there is enough electricity for everyone in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Government Urges Coal Mining Firms To Build Power Plants

South Mining Mutagech, a company involved in the extraction of coal in Hwange, has reportedly fired 25 of its employees after they asked for protective equipment.
Solidarity Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Prince Mpala told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200013810/workers-dismissed-for-demanding-protective-clothing">Southern Eye</a> that the workers were fired last week on Thursday. He said:
<blockquote>
South Mining Mutagech (Hwange) dismissed employees after they demanded proper protective equipment/clothing.
Twenty-five employees (were) dismissed by a Chinese supervisor while others were reinstated.
The Labour Act is very clear, thus section 104(4a). We are taking this matter to the National Employment Council for the mining industry in Bulawayo.
</blockquote>
Mpala said the law allows workers to resort to collective job action, noting that subject to this Act, all employees, workers committees and trade unions have the right to resort to strike action to resolve disputes.
He also said mine supervisor David Wang asked him (Mpala) to visit the mine to understand what is happening.
Wang claimed that the workers were refusing to work so they had to be dismissed.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Coal Mine Workers Fired For Asking For Protective Clothing

Hwange residents have clashed with a Chinese company, Mutagech Mine, which they accuse of starting operations without consulting the community.
Mutagech Mine has embarked on a coal-mining project.
In the Dinde area of Hwange, villagers have also been fighting a Chinese coal-mining project which is likely to displace them. 
Greater Hwange Residents Trust co-ordinator Fedelis Chima Monday told NewsDay that the company was given a special mining grant several years ago, but decided to resume mining activities this year without consulting them. Chima said:
<blockquote>
The company was given a special grant by the government about 10 years ago. The problem started this year when it wanted to resume mining operations. During the environmental impact assessment process, it only consulted a section of traditional leaders, leaving out a lot of other people.
We are not happy about this. It is using COVID-19 as a scapegoat.
We want the country to provide us with its project description so that we know about their environmental plans. 
</blockquote>
Ward 20 councillor Ishmael Kwidini said the mining initiative is going to affect a lot of villagers, therefore, it is difficult to co-exist with such a venture.
Besides displacement, the venture is likely to affect grazing land and fields.
Consulted leaders were reportedly given bicycles as incentives to support the venture. 
Mutagech project manager Donald Nkosana the consultation process was done adding that they have not yet received complaints. 
He also said they are at the project phase. 
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/11/hwange-residents-chinese-miner-clash/">NewsDay</a>

Hwange Residents Clash With Chinese Miner

The government has said will repossess coal mine claims which are not being used. This is part of the government’s ‘Use it or Lose it” policy, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said after a tour of a coal processing plant in Hwange.
Said Chitando:
<blockquote>We have a 12 billion (US dollar) target as a mining industry and of that one billion (US dollar) will be from coal and hydrocarbons. We have over 10 coal projects. All these projects are in progress, so on the one billion dollar target, we are way on course to achieving it.
We actually have lots of coal special grants throughout the country and we are enforcing the use it or lose it (principle), and those who have special grants will lose them because they are sitting on them. What we want is production so that we generate employment and foreign currency.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://newziana.co.zw/2019/08/31/inactive-mining-claims-to-be-repossessed/">NewZiana</a>

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