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Response to proposed rivers mine
Zambezi Society
July 11, 2012

Dear all who are concerned about the proposed mine in Ruckomechi and Chewore Rivers:

We as the Zambezi Society are aware of the proposed mine and have contacted the company proposing this mine to inform us of exactly what it is they intend to do and how. The information that we have gathered - together with other concerned organisations - is that prospecting/exploration licences have been granted (Sept. 2011) to GeoAssociates, a locally owned company to undertake exploration activities for Heavy Mineral Sand Deposits (HMSD) in Ruckomechi and Chewore rivers. The licenses cover an area from the escarpment to the Zambezi River (45km for Ruckomechi and 65km for Chewore).

According to Mr. Chimbodza (the CEO of GeoAssociates, email: ), the Zambezi valley was chosen due to its richness in HMSD, as well as the fact that the company is aware that the Ministry of Water is in the process of desilting rivers in the country, so the proposed project would be in line with that. He says that this will be the first mining of this kind in Zimbabwe. The company also presently mines gold, industrial minerals etc in different parts of the country. The Zambezi valley is the most abundant area in terms of HMSD and this is where they intend to mine. They are not considering alternative sites for the project. The local mining company has external partners (investors) who insisted that an EIA be done. The EIA consultants are Impact Assessment Consultancy (IMPACO), and the focal point is Mr. Itayi, contact details (cell: 0772264107 or 0775884176; email: itaigc@impaco.org).

The proposed mine will be in the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), a site that includes Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas. Its status as a WHS means that it is "a property of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) because of its cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity. As such, the permanent protection of this heritage is of the highest importance, (not only to Zimbabweans) but to the international community as a whole".

Given the gravity and the need for action on this situation, the Zambezi Society convened a meeting with the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ); National Museums and Monuments, Zimbabwe; Lower Zambezi Tour Operators; and UNESCO National Commission on the 10th July 2012 in order to address this issue. From this meeting, a committee was formed to prepare a report/position paper on the legal and technical issues pertaining to this proposed venture. Meanwhile, a letter has been sent to IMPACO, the Proponent and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to request an extension on the deadline of July 17th for the submission of comments on the proposed project as the committee is in the process of investigating the situation.

We are aware of other organisations who are objecting to the mining development and we intend to engage with them to form a group of even greater impact. To this end please could any organisations that wish to join hands/forces contact us at the following details:

Email: zamsoc@gmail.com
Phone: + 263 (0)4 747004 Mobile: +263 (0)772 254462 or (0)77 440 9131
Website: http://www.zamsoc.org
Facebook: The Zambezi Society

We will keep you informed of the situation as it develops and welcome any comments and suggestions that you might have on this issue.

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