Zimbabwe has banned mining in all its national parks, reversing a decision to let Chinese firms explore for coal at its famous Hwange game park, reports the BBC
The move came after campaigners took the government to court to prevent “ecological degradation” in parks.Two firms had been given a licence to explore for coal in Hwange, Zimbabwe’s biggest national park. It is home to more than 40,000 elephants and numerous other species, including the endangered black rhino, as BBC reports today.
In court papers filed on Monday, the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (ZELA) warned that the park would turn into a “site for drilling, land clearance, road building and geological surveys” if coal exploration went ahead.Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa announced the ban on mining with immediate effect.”Steps are being undertaken to immediately cancel all mining titles held in national parks,” she said.
Ms Mutsvangwa also announced a ban on mining along most river beds, in a decision that would affect small-scale Chinese and local gold miners.China is a major investor in Zimbabwe and a close ally of the government.
