The gold mining activities of the Horizonte Minerais company in Manica province are putting the public health of the population of Tchimedza at risk, say the victims.

Local people say, as quoted by the CDD, that during the day the Chinese-owned company uses water retention basins to process the gold. However, during the night these basins are allegedly opened, releasing water contaminated with waste and mercury into the local rivers.

The local people also accuse the Horizontes mining company of being the main polluter of local rivers due to its gold refining practices.

For example, the Revué River plays a vital role in supplying water to the Chicamba dam.

According to residents, the pollution caused by Horizonte Minerais has compromised the quality of the river's water, putting the environment and the health of the local communities dependent on it at risk

Apart from this, people have reported breaches of contracts with the company.

According to the CDD, the company had obtained gold mining concessions by exploiting land that was traditionally used by local residents for agriculture and grazing.

The victims say that the contracts involved compensation for the use of their land during the gold extraction process. However, after agreeing to these terms, the local population claims to have been surprised by the company's subsequent abandonment of the area.

In addition, the company has not restored the soil as promised, and Chinese security guards are preventing local residents from accessing their land. This has resulted in the interruption of their agricultural activities, exacerbating the risk of food insecurity. (Source: CDD)