Alvina Chiwanika

MIRROR REPORTER

SHURUGWI – Chengxi, a Chinese gold mining company has held a meeting to allay public fear that the company’s US$21 million mining operations in the Botorekwa escarpment are going to cause the collapse of the highway road that snakes through the mountain.

Speaking to over a 100 stakeholders including the District Development Co-ordinator (DDC), chiefs and leading politicians last week, Chengxi managing director Tapiwa Chipembere said there was no chance that the company’s operations would affect the highway because the mine is open cast.

Residents were also concerned by the destruction of the scenic escarpment and other environmental issues.

Chipembere not only promised that the mine will carry out its activities responsibly particularly with regards to the environment but would also do a lot of socio-corporate responsibilities.

He said that the company will soon be repairing Chief Nhema’s vehicle and a Zanu PF vehicle that have been broken down for some time. He also promised to patch up potholes at Botorekwa and to drill boreholes.

“We have invested US$21m in the venture and we were always in consultation with the three chiefs. We are not going to cause any harm to the road or the environment,” said Chipembere.

Simon Karimanzira a manager at the company also emphasized the same issues at the meeting.

He said that there are 150 locals who have been employed at the mine.

Isaac Chibendere who represented war veterans hailed the Chinese company for its investment. He said that the stakeholders’ complaints against the mine came out of misinformation. He pleaded with the company to assist in the construction of an office for war veterans in Shurugwi.

Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) member Shepherd Mudhara appealed to the mine to also give back to the community.