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The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued a strongly worded statement demanding the cancellation of a proposed mining project within Hwange National Park, specifically targeting the Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone.
The authority argues that the project poses a grave threat to endangered black rhinos and would severely damage the park’s fragile ecosystem.
By Vongai Masuka
In a press release issued today, ZimParks urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to reject the application for exclusive prospecting rights in the area, a critical habitat for the critically endangered black rhino.
The proposed mining operation, the authority stated, would increase the risk of extinction for the species and undermine ongoing conservation efforts.
“This area is a critical habitat for black rhinos and currently supports a growing population of this endangered species,” the statement emphasized, showing the region’s importance for the survival of the species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix 1.
ZimParks also raised concerns about the environmental impact of mining, stating it would exacerbate land degradation, a key issue for the authority, which is mandated to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
ZimParks also argues that the introduction of mining would disrupt wildlife populations, negatively affect tourism revenue, and lead to increased pollution and poaching.
“Approving mining in this zone would not only contradict ZimParks’ conservation mandate but also tarnish Zimbabwe’s reputation regionally and internationally as a world leader in sustainable conservation,” the statement asserted.
The park is also home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population, and ZimParks warned that mining could disrupt groundwater flow, threatening vital water sources and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
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