The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
THE epitaph reads: “Born on August 30, 2021; Died on February 22, 2022.”
It further reads: “In memory of a phony giant that caused butterflies in Dangamvura residents’ tummies.”
Cast in quarry stone is the giant tombstone which is visible to any passer-by, either using the Dangamvura Link or Mutare-Chimanimani Roads.
Having been on life support for about four months, on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, City of Mutare’s Acting Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Kapuya Chafesuka announced the passing on of the “giant.”
All efforts to save the life of the “game changer,” according to its advocates, were in vain.
With a solemn voice, Mr Chafesuka announced the sad news: “Management has received a letter from Mushoriwa Pasi Corporate Attorneys who are acting on behalf of Freestone Mines (Pvt) Limited.
“Freestone Mines has, through its lawyers, given a written notice of its intention to cancel the lease agreement No MU/S23/19 . . . Freestone Mines entered into a lease agreement with council on the 30th of August 2021 after being awarded a tender to carry out quarry stone mine activities at Stand Number 13415 Mutare Township, Mutare.
“Freestone Mines took note of the resistance from different people and stakeholders who are totally against the project.
“Freestone Mines (Pvt) Ltd was awarded a tender to carry out quarry mining operations for a period of five years. This followed an advert flighted on the 28th of August 2020 and on Sunday, the 30th of August 2020.
“I therefore recommend that council accepts the notice by Freestone Mines (Pvt) Ltd for the cancellation of the lease agreement.”
Some bowed their heads and wept silently, some heaved a huge sigh of relief as the albatross that was around their necks had been finally removed.
Faint smiles could be seen on the faces of some turncoats who were vocal against the project during the day and supporting it under the cover of darkness.
In street lingo, some slept with their shoes on upon hearing the news.
True to the Shona adage: “Doro rinoshata musi waravambwa” (A potential potent brew is spoiled from the start), the Dangamvura mining project had the word controversy written all over it.
While the proponents said everything regarding the project was above board, residents felt that some corners were cut to fast-track the commencement of the project.
The thorny issue was how Freestone Mines had acquired the Environmental Impact Assessment certificate for the project.
Although the company obtained a supporting document that was signed by suspended Acting Mutare Town Clerk, Dr Anthony Mutara on September 2, 2021, residents and authorities expressed reservations over the whole process.
Whenever mining takes places, local communities are often the ones to bear the effects of environmental, social and cultural devastation that comes with the extraction of resources within their localities.
As such, community’s participation in mineral resource governance is critical.
The Environmental Management Act, Chapter 20:27 (Section 4(1)(b) provides for the access to environmental information and protection of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations and to participate in the implementation of the promulgation of reasonable legislative, policy and other measures.
This is meant to prevent pollution and environmental degradation and ensure sustainable management and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.
The critical element of community monitoring is participating in the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) process.
According to Section 97 of the Environmental Management Act, mining companies are required to undertake an EIA and apply for an EIA Certificate from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
The EIA is a tool used to define, quantify and evaluate the potential and known impacts of human activities on ecosystems at the earliest stage of project development.
It is a technical and administrative procedure whose objective is to identify potential impacts and prevent environmental deterioration generated by human activities.
It also increases public awareness on the environmental effects of non-sustainable production practices.
From the hullabaloo that characterised the Dangamvura mining saga, it appears due diligence was not done from the word go.
The cart was put before the horse and all hell broke loose.
At the height of the acrimony, angry residents called for the relocation of the mine to a new site far from residential areas and water distribution pipes.
Freestone Mines was forced to withdraw the equipment from the site as irate residents piled pressure on them.
As pressure mounted, Freestone Mines tried to engage residents through public meetings and during one of the meetings at Mutare Hall recently, the company’s communication officer, Dr Njabulo Chipangura, said a community share ownership scheme was going to be established for the benefit of locals.
He also said the project was going to create employment for locals.
However, civic society organisations in Mutare were adamant that the mining deal would bring more harm than good to the city.
Thirty-eight civic society organisations came out guns blazing after one of the engagement meetings.
“. . . we find it unreasonable for elected officials to go against the wishes of those who endure long and sometimes frustrating voting processes to elect them. We feel betrayed, but more emboldened to defend our God given flora and fauna,” read part of their statement.
