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Michael Makuza, Business Reporter
BULAWAYO Mining Company (BMC) wants to conduct fresh exploration on its claims around Bulawayo to extend mining life and enhance increased gold output.

The company has since engaged BUMIRA Environmental Consultants to gather views from various stakeholders who might be affected by the proposed project as well as from those interested in the project’s activities.

In a statement the consulting company said the new exploration and mining projects will be conducted on claims in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South and Umguza District, Matabeleland North.

“Bulawayo Mining Company intends to undertake exploration and mining on its Happy Valley (Hope Fountain) and Bulawayo South claims, namely Lone Trail, Vale and Redbank claims, which are 35km South-East of the city of Bulawayo via Old Gwanda Road while the Happy Valley are 20km East of the city of Bulawayo via Hope Fountain Road,” said the company.

“The scope of exploration activities includes traverse cutting, soil sampling, trenching and pitting, access road preparation, RC drilling, core drilling and continued reconnaissance of all the claims while the mining method may include surface open cast mining and eventual migration to underground mining.”

BUMIRA Environmental Consultants said as part of the consultation and exploration process, protection of the environment, human health and well-being, mitigation of climate change and conversation of nature would be prioritised in line with sustainability best practice.

“In accordance with this commitment the organisation has a proactive practice on conducting environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), which take into account compliance obligations…,” said BUMIRA.

It said the purpose of the stakeholder consultation is to ascertain on the immediate, short to long-term direct and indirect impacts of the project on the surrounding communities and other stakeholders.