Environmental Devastation in Shurugwi: Chenxi Investments Under Fire for Land Degradation and Water Pollution
A mining operation in Shurugwi, Zimbabwe, has come under severe scrutiny for its extensive environmental damage, despite facing fines and previous findings of illegal activities. Chenxi Investments, a gold mining company linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s family, is accused of decimating approximately 12 square kilometres of vegetation and polluting local waterways. The company’s open-cast mining methods, which involve the use of hazardous chemicals like sodium cyanide, have left critical natural landmarks scarred and vulnerable to erosion, raising alarm bells among residents and environmental activists who warn of long-term ecological harm and potential disasters.
The scale of the destruction is starkly evident through satellite imagery, corroborating the fears of local communities. Since Chenxi Investments commenced operations in 2021, large swathes of pristine vegetation in the Shurugwi area have been cleared. This has significantly impacted the Boterekwa Escarpment, also known as Wolfshall Pass, and the Dunraven Falls, transforming these once vibrant natural sites into barren, eroded landscapes.
Residents and Activists Raise Alarm
Local residents, traditional leaders, and environmental campaigners have voiced their concerns repeatedly. They report that rivers and streams in the vicinity are now contaminated with mining sediment and chemical runoff originating from vast piles of crushed ore. Despite these widespread complaints, Chenxi Investments has largely dismissed the allegations, asserting that its operations adhere to legal frameworks.
The company’s chairman, Collins Mnangagwa, son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is widely perceived as being beyond reproach. Critics suggest this perceived invincibility has shielded the company, enabling its continued mining activities with little consequence.
Mining Methods and Environmental Impact
An on-site investigation revealed the aggressive nature of the mining operations, with heavy machinery levelling hillsides and burying indigenous trees under massive waste dumps. Chenxi employs a technique known as heap leaching. This process involves piling crushed, low-grade gold ore into large heaps and then spraying them with sodium cyanide. The cyanide dissolves the gold and silver, which are then collected in a solution. This solution is subsequently processed to recover the precious metals. While effective for extraction, this method can generate toxic waste if not managed with the utmost care and containment. The process itself can span several weeks or months.
A History of Regulatory Challenges
An investigation in 2022 uncovered that Chenxi had entered into a partnership with Ansh Blue 4/8 (Private) Limited, a company reportedly owned by a local businessman identified only as Mahara. While Ansh Blue initially held approval for underground shaft mining, the collaboration with Chenxi saw an expansion into open-cast mining and heap leaching at the Boterekwa Escarpment.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) subsequently found Ansh Blue to have engaged in illegal open-cast mining activities on the ecologically sensitive mountain range. Benson Basera, the provincial EMA manager at the time, confirmed the illegality of these operations, noting that the company possessed an environmental impact assessment only for shaft mining.
The EMA ordered the cessation of unapproved open-cast and vat leaching operations. Ansh Blue was fined ZW$300,000 for proceeding without a requisite Environmental Impact Assessment, and the agency acknowledged the disfigurement of the scenic area. However, despite these penalties and directives, the mining activities persisted. Chenxi Investments subsequently obtained its own operational licenses from the Ministry of Mines, allowing it to conduct mining activities legally under its own name.
Simon Karimanzira, a director at Chenxi, acknowledged that the company has incurred fines, describing them as a standard part of mining operations. He stated that the company complies with regulations and seeks guidance when necessary, expressing commitment to rehabilitation efforts such as slope stabilization and tree planting.
Community Impact and Loss of Natural Heritage
The Shurugwi Residents and Ratepayers Association has expressed profound dismay at the extent of the damage. Pardon Machocho, a spokesperson for the association, lamented the destruction of Boterekwa, a site once cherished for its scenic beauty and recreational value.
Bulle Madzitire, chairperson of the ratepayers association, contrasted Chenxi’s current operations with those of artisanal miners who previously operated on a smaller scale without causing significant concern. She highlighted that Chenxi’s large-scale operations, allegedly supported by the ruling family, represent a fundamentally different and more damaging approach.
Farai Maguwu, executive director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a long-standing advocate against environmental destruction in the region, warned of the severe consequences of the ongoing pollution. “When it is raining, all the cyanide and toxic waste is washed into rivers and dams,” he stated. “This is a major problem, not only for Shurugwi but the whole country. Our rivers are now polluted. I will also not be surprised if this kind of mining does not result in landslides in the near future. It’s just a question of time before nature hits back.”
Maguwu further expressed concern over a perceived lack of political will to address the issue, noting that while government officials in Shurugwi privately acknowledge the problems, they feel constrained by the perceived influence of those behind Chenxi Investments. He suggested that the EMA and the National Water Authority are hesitant to take decisive action, fearing repercussions from powerful individuals and families involved in the project.
Access Restricted and Livelihoods Disrupted
Villagers in Shurugwi have also reported that Chenxi’s operations have obstructed their access to indigenous forests, areas they previously relied on for foraging mushrooms and wild fruits. Resident Misheck Moyo shared his frustration: “Chenxi has taken over large areas around Boterekwa and we no longer have access to our ancestral lands, including grazing areas. Our lifestyles have been destroyed and we are no longer free in our movement because they have placed armed guards around the mines.”
Understanding the Satellite Imagery Analysis
The investigative team utilized satellite imagery from Google Earth and the European Union’s Copernicus program (Sentinel-2) to monitor land and vegetation changes over time. This technology allows for the observation of alterations to the Earth’s surface.
- What was observed: The analysis of satellite images revealed that approximately 12 square kilometres of land and vegetation were cleared in the Wolfshall Pass / Boterekwa Escarpment area of Shurugwi between 2021 and 2025, indicating substantial environmental degradation.
- How this was analysed: The process involved using “false colour” imagery, where vegetation typically appears in red hues. This technique enhances the visibility of plant cover and makes it easier to identify areas that have been cleared over a specific period.
Timeline of Land Use Changes:
- November 2021: Prior to the commencement of extensive mining activities, the area was characterized by dense vegetation cover.
- November 2022 – 2025: Subsequent satellite images depict a progressive clearing of vegetation. This pattern strongly suggests significant environmental destruction directly linked to mining operations conducted by Chenxi Investments during these years.
