Chinese Mining Operations in Hwange Spark Water Crisis for Diki Villagers

Two Chinese mining companies have triggered a severe water crisis in Hwange’s Diki Village by diverting water from Kalope Dam.

South Mining’s Mutargech division and Zimbabwe Zhongjing Heli Energy Pvt Ltd have drilled 11 boreholes, deeply affecting local water access.

Kalope Dam, crucial for the mining town of Hwange, now sees its waters redirected to serve mining interests, leaving villagers desperate.

The dam’s four tributary streams have been blocked by these companies, leading to a significant reduction in water supply to the community.

This has resulted in dire consequences for 282 families relying on the Lukosi Irrigation Scheme, which is now on the brink of collapse.

The Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) reports that these mining operations are not only displacing families but also polluting the environment.

CNRG identifies at least nine Chinese firms in Hwange involved in coal mining or coke production, each contributing to local hardships.

The livelihoods of thousands are at stake as the irrigation scheme, which recently produced 30 metric tonnes of wheat, faces imminent failure.

Community leaders in Diki Village are taking urgent action to prevent the collapse of their vital irrigation scheme.

Diki Village head Peter Mpala has called for the unblocking of the dam’s tributaries and halting the pipeline construction to mining sites.

Despite community engagement, negotiations with the mining companies have proven fruitless, leaving villagers to seek external support.

CNRG is collaborating with local advocacy groups to assess and address the crisis, ensuring community voices are heard.

Ndaizivei Garura of CNRG emphasized the need for immediate action to protect the sustainability of the village’s agricultural practices.

The organization is advocating for justice, dignity, and a check on corporate excesses in areas impacted by mining activities.

The situation in Diki Village raises significant questions about the social responsibility and operational ethics of foreign mining companies.

Communities in Marange, Hwange, and Mutoko have echoed similar grievances, highlighting a pattern of unethical practices by Chinese miners.

This crisis not only threatens local livelihoods but also the ecological balance of the region, with potential long-term consequences.

As the community fights to reclaim its water rights, the broader implications of industrial mining on rural life are starkly evident.

The struggle of Diki Village underscores the urgent need for regulatory oversight to protect both people and the environment.

The ongoing battle for water access in Hwange serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of resource extraction.