The coal mining town of Hwange, once renowned for its natural beauty and vibrant ecosystems, now finds itself grappling with a severe environmental crisis. In an interview with The Environment, Hwange based environmental advocacy group Green Shango Environmental Trust executive director Daniel Sithole highlighted the extent of the degradation and its dire consequences for both the environment and the community.
“The coal mining town of Hwange has been facing severe environmental degradation, which has raised significant concerns among residents and environmentalists. The Deka River, which feeds into the Zambezi River, has been heavily polluted by mining-related activities. Community-based monitoring has detected high levels of manganese, nickel, and arsenic in the water, exceeding national and international guidelines,” said Sithole
He said investigations conducted by environmentalists have unveiled a myriad of other pollutants stemming from coal mining and power generation activities in the region. “Investigations have revealed massive air and land pollution due to coal mining and power generation. This includes dust, noise, land degradation, and the emission of harmful gases like sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
“The pollution has led to respiratory-related diseases, cancer, stillbirths, and deaths of livestock in the community. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma has increased among residents due to exposure to dust and diesel fumes from heavy machinery.
“The town has lost a significant number of trees to opencast and underground mining operations, charcoal production, and veld fires. This deforestation has accelerated climate change and negatively affected the local environment,” he said. Sithole attributes much of the ecological degradation to the influx of mining companies in the region.
“Mushrooming mining companies have been identified as contributing to the ecological degradation in Hwange. Their operations have disrupted the local environment, leading to air and water pollution, rising temperatures, and human-wildlife conflicts.
“The environmental degradation has not only affected the natural ecosystem but also the quality of life for the people living in Hwange. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks posed by the pollution,” said Sithole.
