The Zimbabwean reported that the government has ordered a Chinese company China Africa Sunlight Energy to stop coal and coal-bed methane exploration for electricity generation in Gwayi, Matabeleland North province after failing an Environmental Impact Assessments.

Radio VOP was told in an interview that the mining company has failed the EIA conducted by the government Environmental Management Agency which has since called on China Africa Sunlight Energy to cease operations.

EMA provincial manager Mr Chipo Zuze Mpofu said “The company has been ordered to cease operations until it is issued with an EIA certificate by EMA. The company submitted an EIA report to the agency and the report was rejected because it did not have sufficient information. The company has been ordered to re-submit a fresh report and until then China-Africa Sunlight Energy will not be conducting any exploration in coal and coal-bed methane in Gwayi.”

China Africa Sunlight Energy was exploring coal and coal bed methane in Gwayi with a view of establishing a power station capable of producing 120 MW of electricity.

Source - thezimbabwean.co.uk

(www.coalguru.com)