Hubbard Investments (Pvt) Ltd has been exploring minerals along major tributaries of the Zambezi River such as Rukomechi, Chewore and Sapi rivers in the valley. The Zambezi Society, a non-profit making Zambezi valley wildlife and wilderness resource protection organization, said the proposed mining area was a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“The Mana Pools/Sapi/Chewore region not only encompasses one of Zimbabwe’s largest National Parks and two Safari Areas, but is also internationally recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with outstanding universal value, a Biosphere Reserve, an international Important Bird Area and a vital component of a proposed Trans Frontier Conservation Area,” said the society.
The mining project has also been strongly opposed by wildlife conservationists and environmentalists.
Paul Chimbodza, Hubbard’s Managing Director, recently told The Zimbabwean that his company was scrutinising submissions from stakeholders over the project. “People should not just jump the gun. We are doing everything to conform to the Environment Management. We are committed to funding environmental programmes to harness the impacts of the proposed exploration,” he said.
Post published in: News