There are fears of cyanide poisoning at Upper Ncema Dam due to mining activities at Alice Farm in Umzingwane District, reported <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200027902/fears-over-cyanide-poisoning-at-ncema-dam">NewsDay</a>.
According to the Bulawayo City Council’s latest report, a heap leach pad is set to be constructed at Alice Farm in the Umzingwane District near Upper Ncema Dam.
Heap leach pads facilitate the extraction of precious metals (such as gold, silver, copper, or uranium) from ore through the use of a leaching solvent (e.g., cyanide or acids) which is sprinkled onto the ore heap.
According to the report, the proposed pad increases the risk of accidental spills or leaks into one of Bulawayo’s sources of drinking water. Reads the report:
<blockquote>
The proximity of the proposed pad to the Upper Ncema Dam increases the risk of accidental spills or leaks, which could lead to the contamination of the water body.
Cyanide is highly toxic and poses a serious threat to aquatic life and human health. The potential long-term damage to the ecosystem and the local communities cannot be ignored.
Environmental concerns associated with heap leach facilities revolve primarily around failure to contain process solutions within the heap leach circuit and their potential release onto the receiving surface and subsurface environment, with resultant impacts on the health of people, livestock and ecosystems.
</blockquote>
The report also says the applicant for the heap leach pad bypassed the crucial step of obtaining necessary approvals from relevant authorities, including the Environmental Management Agency. It adds:
<blockquote>
Immediate action is necessary to address this critical issue and ensure the protection of both the dam and the well-being of the people.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Fears Of Cyanide Poisoning At Upper Ncema Dam

In a recent incident in Katombora, Middle Zambezi Valley, two suspected poachers met a fatal end after engaging in a firefight with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife (Zimparks) rangers.
The confrontation resulted in the deaths of the poachers, while three others were apprehended. 
The rangers acted swiftly to protect wildlife and recovered 15 elephant tusks, along with a rifle and ammunition.
Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident posting on X:
<blockquote>
2 suspected poachers were gunned down in Katombora (Mid Zambezi) after an exchange of fire with @Zimparks rangers while 3 were arrested. 15 tusks, 375 rifle, 5 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Investigations are in progress.
</blockquote>
Poaching remains a critical issue in Zimbabwe, threatening the country’s rich wildlife heritage.
A recent investigation revealed a cyanide scandal implicating authorities and a mysterious Chinese businesswoman named Li Song.
According to The NewsHawks report, a staggering 40 tonnes and a pallet containing 1.1 tonnes of cyanide were clandestinely and unlawfully stored at a warehouse in Bulawayo.
Cyanide, commonly associated with mining, is also used by poachers, with recent reports suggest that over 300 elephants have died in Hwange National Park due to poachers lacing watering holes and salt licks with cyanide.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Two Poachers Gunned Down, Three Arrested In Mid-Zambezi

Six adult elephants were allegedly killed by poisoning before their tusks were removed by suspected poachers last week at a watering hole at Gwayi, Shangani Wildlife Conservancy, which is close to Hwange National Park.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo confirmed the deaths of the elephants to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/poachers-kill-six-adult-elephants/">CITE</a>, adding investigations were still ongoing to establish the cause of the deaths. He said:
<blockquote>
We have an incident where six elephants were found dead in Gwayi/Shangani area but we cannot ascertain the cause of the death because the elephants were found in a decomposing state.
Our veterinary doctors are investigating the cause but at the moment we do not know what happened so we can’t say it’s poisoning because we can’t confirm that.
</blockquote>
CITE reported wildlife sources in that area as saying the animals were killed by cyanide that was sprinkled in one of the water sources.
A local wildlife conservationist who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter was quoted as saying:
<blockquote>
We strongly suspect that the bull elephants were poisoned using cyanide. Their decomposing carcasses were found about 100 to 300 metres apart along a pathway which the animals usually use when going to drink water.
Another factor which suggests the elephants might have succumbed to poison is there were no animal scavengers or even maggots at the sight.
</blockquote>
The wildlife conservationist said the elephants had all been dehorned, suggesting that the jumbos were killed by poachers for their tusks.
Last week Farawo told the <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200021472/hwange-game-park-records-decline-in-poaching">Southern Eye</a> that poaching had been on a decline, with no cases recorded in 2023 at the game park.
He also revealed that a total of 36 wildlife animals were poached in 2022, down from 42 in 2021.
From 2016 to 2019, at least 322 elephants were killed by poachers, largely for their tusks, Farawo explained.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Six Elephants Found Dead In Gwayi/Shangani Wildlife Conservancy

Local authorities in Ward 31 in Munyathi, Kwekwe, had to disconnect a community borehole after unknown people allegedly threw cyanide and contaminated its water.
Ward 31 Councilor Tichafa Chitate told the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/community-borehole-laced-with-cyanide/">Chronicle</a> that two donkeys died instantly after consuming the contaminated water prompting the owner to raise alarm. He said:
<blockquote>
The man was making his donkeys drink water at the water source as it is used by both villagers and their livestock.
Luckily the owner did not drink the water himself but made the donkeys drink and they collapsed and died instantly.
That is when he raised alarm and we decided to disconnect the borehole as a precaution until we ascertain what happened.
The villagers are now facing acute water challenges as the next borehole is far from them. The situation is even worse for livestock.
But we are working with relevant authorities so that the situation be addressed as soon as possible.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Kwekwe District Officer, Daniel Magombedze said the samples tested positive for cyanide. Said Magombedze:
I can confirm that we rushed to Munyathi where we collected samples for testing and they indeed tested positive for poisoning.
We also advised the community to stop using the borehole until a solution is found.

Community Borehole Poisoned In Kwekwe

Armed robbers pounced on Atlas 16 Gold Mine in the early hours of Wednesday 8 December and got away with 130kgs of pregnant gold carbon worth about US$62 000.
In the gold industry, activated carbon is used to recover gold from the gold-cyanide complex also known as the cyanide process. It is a technique for extracting gold from low-grade ore by converting the gold to a water-soluble coordination complex.
 The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) say the robbers were armed with knives and iron bars. Pindula News presents a police statement on the case:
<blockquote>
The ZRP is investigating a case of robbery which occurred at Atlas 16 Gold, Mine on 08/12/21 at about 0300 hrs. Eight unknown suspects who were armed with knives and iron bars attacked two security guards who were on duty at the mine and tied them with barbed wire before proceeding to the gold carbon room where they stole 130 kgs of pregnant gold carbon worth approximately US$62 000.
</blockquote>
ZRP officers are also investigating another robbery case in which a truck driver was robbed after a breakdown. Police said:
<blockquote>
In another case Police in Bulawayo are investigating a robbery incident where a truck driver was robbed of property worth US$1 440 after a breakdown at  Umguza Bridge, along Harare-Bulawayo Rd on 08/12/21.
</blockquote>
<h2>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Robbers Pounce On A Mine And Steal 130kgs Of Pregnant Gold Carbon

A suspected poacher in Gwayi, Matabeleland North province, allegedly drank a poisonous substance on his way to Dete Police Station and later died while in custody.
The incident was confirmed on Friday by Matabeleland North provincial police spokesperson Inspector Siphiwe Makonese.
Insp Makonese, however, declined to reveal the deceased’s identity, saying his next of kin were yet to be informed. She said:
<blockquote>We are not sure when the man drank the killing substance, but he did not drink it in police custody.
The man could have drunk the substance on their way to the police station and we are not sure when he consumed it, as others escaped.
He died as soon as the officers arrived with him at the police station.</blockquote>
However, the  NewsDay cites its source as having said that the suspect gulped down cyanide after police officers told him to stay close to his exhibits.
The suspected poacher was among other suspects who were arrested on May 27 by police and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) rangers.
Some of the suspects escaped from police custody while being led to the police station and the officers remained with the now deceased.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/05/suspected-poacher-dies-in-police-cells/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NewsDay</a></h4>

Poacher Gulps Down Cyanide In Police Cells

Thirteen elephants, four females and nine bulls were killed used cyanide poison in the Chikandakubi area of Victoria Falls. Four of the elephants were dehorned. The carcases were discovered on Thursday near the Mnyemywe Springs near the Fuller Forestry.
Two people have been arrested so far. This brings the number of suspected poachers arrested so far to 30.
In June this year, atA least 10 elephants were killed by poachers through the use of cyanide poison around Hwange National Park. Among the ten, there was a cow and her calf. When the elephants were discovered, poachers had already hacked the tusks off 4 of the elephants.
 
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/2017/10/14/13-elephants-killed-in-cyanide-poising-incident/">ZBC</a>

13 Elephants Killed Using Cyanide Poison

At least 20 head of cattle have died of suspected cyanide poisoning in <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Mashonaland_West_Province">Mashonaland West Province</a> in a development attributed to improper handling of the dangerous substance’s residue.The deaths occurred since the beginning of the rainy season, which has resulted in the existing residue management infrastructure giving in and discharging into the environment.
In the first incident, which occurred on December 6, seven cattle died in <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Zvimba">Zvimba</a> from cyanide poisoning. Investigations so far show that a pump failed due to excess rains, resulting in residue overflowing out of a mill confinement into the environment and cattle came into contact with the contaminated vegetation, resulting in death.
Another 12 cattle belonging to three different farmers also died due to cyanide poisoning at Eiffel Gold Mine in <a href="http://www.pindula.co.zw/Kadoma">Kadoma</a> after drinking waste water suspected to be contaminated with residual cyanide. The incident, which occurred on December 18, shows that excessive rains destroyed overflow control walls at the mine, resulting in storm water overflowing outside the mine fence into the environment. Breaches of environmental laws were confirmed and protection orders were issued by the Environmental Management Agency.
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/cyanide-kills-20-cattle-in-mash-west/">Herald</a>

Cyanide Latest News

Latest Jobs