A Chinese company, Hualin Quarry Mine which is operating in Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb, has succumbed to civil society and residents’ pressure to end environmental violations and take up corporate social responsibility within the host community.
Hualin, which is extracting quarry stones in Pumula suburb in Bulawayo’s Ward 17, has begun to cooperate with the community to address the violations and the social needs of affected citizens.
The relationship between the Chinese-owned company and the community began on a rocky note in 2021 when operations commenced, with the mine violating numerous residents’ rights.
The Pumula community has for years complained bitterly about cracking houses, damage to roads as well as air and noise pollution caused by Hualin operations taking place within the suburb.
Hualin, on the other hand, had repeatedly turned a deaf ear to calls for redress, until the residents joined hands with civil society to exert more pressure on the quarry miner, an investigation has established.
The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) has been at the forefront of exposing some of the environmental challenges brought by the mining operations.
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In an interview, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) Ward 17 organising secretary, Nqobizitha Moyo, also admitted that there was poor uptake of their advocacy to engage the mine.
But, according to Moyo, that was because they were operating in the COVID-19 era that made it difficult to mobilise residents and other stakeholders.
Source: CITE
Source: CITE
