‘We’re not responsible for social media blast’

Africa Moyo-Deputy News Editor

The video of a quarry blast circulating on social media does not represent any activity of the Chinese firm Heijin Mining Company, which has not started operations in the Kasese Village of Uzumba, Mashonaland East as it is still awaiting necessary licences and certificates.

Social media and some local media outlets have been awash with the video and pictures of a blast at a mountain, with anti-Heijin comments and suggestions that the company wants to evict the entire villager to pave way for mining activities.

At the moment negotiations are underway to protect sacred sites that need to be protected. Heijin, unlike other granite miners, wants to do most of the processing in Zimbabwe, creating jobs and industry, rather than just export large blocks overseas. 

However, the company has become a cause for those opposed to any investment in communal lands, hence the wrongly captioned video and pictures.

Heijin’s response has been measured: “Heijin Mining Company has not started mining activities at its claim in Uzumba being Kaseke,” said the company. 

“We are still in the process of applying for the relevant licences and certificates from the relevant Government departments. Heijin is a law abiding company.”

The company added that it “didn’t evict any villager” from its mines. 

It said the issue of families that could be affected by mining activities was being dealt with by the company in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and other relevant Government departments. 

“We are waiting for an official report from Government on this and we are willing to cooperate with all stakeholders especially the affected villagers in a humane manner.

“We will take legal action against any party that publishes misleading articles or news with fake information,” said Heijin. 

The company has been under siege from critics, especially from Western-sponsored and supported NGOs and media outlets that have sought to label it as an uncaring investor.

The Government has equally not been spared, with some of its officials accused of corruption in the awarding of permits to the company to start operations without caring for villagers.