Musa Makina
ONE of the many Chinese mining companies which was granted coal exploring rights by government in Hwange has expressed its concern over the continued distraction and threats of litigation by what it termed architects of anti-development in the area.
In a stinging statement, Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd which claims to have acquired its special grant in April this year went to an extent of describing activists and civic society organisations fighting against them as a security threat.
“This authorisation (Special grant) gave our company, Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd, permission to explore for coal in the specified area, in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province, with a view to undertake mining activities in line with our investment plans.
“Ours is just a small effort towards achieving the country’s economic growth and attainment of an Upper Middle-Income Economy status espoused by government, with the mining sector expected to contribute US$12 billion,” the company said in a statement yesterday.
“We, therefore, call upon authorities to protect the legitimate interests of investors and provide an enabling environment where capital can thrive, in line with the Zimbabwe is Open for Business principle.”
In April government Gazette released a notice that the minister of Mines had issued a Special Grant number 8577 to Afrochine Smelting, for a period of three years with effect from April 16, to April 15 2024, inclusive.
Since then their efforts to venture in their granted area has been thwarted by civic society and some locals.
“The ongoing war against companies operating in the mining and energy sectors in Hwange, has become more than a mere distraction but a national security threat, driven by selfish individuals and groupings whose operations have become a well-oiled machine to thwart development in the area.
“We are appalled, therefore, that there are fresh attempts by certain forces under the civil society banner to derail these efforts through vexatious litigation or threats of litigation; bullying, harassment and politicking against our investments,” the company said.
