Displaying items by tag: Labenmon Investments

Zimbabwe: The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has called on the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to suspend operations on a US$1bn cement project in Magunje, Mashonaland West, citing ‘a spiralling crisis’ of human rights abuses, forced displacements and environmental harm, according to Pindula News. The project is led by Labenmon Investments, in partnership with China-based West International Holding. It is expected to produce 0.9Mt/yr of cement and 1.8Mt/yr of clinker. The project will reportedly create 5000 jobs and spur local development, but CNRG has raised concerns on behalf of local communities.

There have been reports that communities have been forcefully removed from their ancestral lands and graves of relatives ‘desecrated’ in the wake of mining developments. The group also raised concerns about alleged ‘fraudulent consultations,’ with legally required village meetings bypassed and affected communities excluded from decision-making processes. The newspaper also reported that eight villagers from Kapere were arrested for standing up to the mining project and continue to be summoned to the court despite the complainants failing to appear. CNRG staff members also reportedly faced threats from the Zimbabwe National Army while conducting an inspection in Kemapondo village.

There are also reports of the local Magunje Dam being polluted by the cement plant and of fires sparked during land clearing exercises, which have razed farmlands. There are also concerns of labour violations, with employees allegedly working in dangerous conditions, below the minimum wage and without formal contracts. The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union has escalated the matter to the Labour Court.

Zimbabwe: Villagers in Hurungwe District are protesting against a cement and power plant project by WHI-ZIM Construction Material Investments, alleging illegal land seizures, lack of compensation and environmental risks. WHI-ZIM, a joint venture between Lebanmon Investments and West International Holding, has pledged US$1bn for the project in Mashonaland West, promising 5000 jobs and local infrastructure upgrades. However, more than 80 families face displacement without clear relocation or compensation plans, according to Zim Live news. Residents accuse the company of forcibly depositing materials on communal land without legal permits. Chief Chanetsa of Hurungwe endorsed the project on 135 hectares, citing community benefits, including schools, clinics, boreholes and a 45km road.

He said “If there is any field affected within these 135 hectares, we have agreed with the company that it shall fully compensate the affected area.”

Environmentalists and villagers have warned of risks to Magunje Dam, the villagers’ water source located 1.4km from the plant. They allege irregularities in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which mandates compensation and relocation before work begins.

Residents claim WHI-ZIM ignored EIA conditions and began fencing communal land in July 2024.

A community activist said “The corruption here is blatant. People are being forced off their land while officials look the other way.”

Zimbabwe: Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu and Finance and Development Committee chairperson Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo have been arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for allegedly demanding a US$20,000 bribe from Labenmon Investments. The officials are accused of soliciting the bribe from the China-based investors in exchange for approving 5.6 hectares of land for a cement plant. The initial application for 10 hectares was denied by the Bulawayo City Council. The two were scheduled to appear in court on 16 November 2024.

A statement from the ZACC said "The circumstances are that sometime in November 2023, Tsitsi Mapfumo from Labenmon Investments made an application, without success, for 10 hectares of land to the Bulawayo City Council for a cement mixing plant. Labenmon Investments resubmitted the application in April 2024 and was offered 5.6 hectares. After Labenmon Investments received an offer letter, the accused persons allegedly approached Mapfumo demanding a reward of US$20,000 cash on behalf of other 20 Bulawayo City Council councillors for facilitating the approval.”

Zimbabwe: Representatives from the Magunje community appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture Mechanisation and Irrigation, voicing concerns over Labenmon Investments Pvt’s noncompliance with legal procedures in establishing a cement production plant near Kemureza Dam and Magunje Growth Point. Led by Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations of Residents Trust (ZNOART), the community alleged that their views were ignored in the environmental impact assessment process for the plant, which will occupy 135 hectares. The Parliament Committee plans to visit the site soon to gather information from residents. The project is expected to employ over 1500 people and boost the local economy.

Thomas Chidzomba, representative for Hong Kong-based Labenmon Investments Pvt, said "Our project is clear and will follow all the country's laws. In addition, the plant is going to use state-of-the-art technology which ‘minimises or eradicates’ air pollution. We will also not pollute the Kemureza Dam as we will not draw water from it for our operations."

Zimbabwe: Bulawayo City Council has granted approval for China-based Labenmon Investments to establish a grinding plant, expected to employ over 500 people, at Umvumila Industrial Park. Once operational, the facility will produce 900,000t/yr of cement, and plans to export to regional markets including Zambia, Botswana, and Mozambique. The grinding plant was previously planned for Cowdray Park, also in Bulawayo, but the application was rejected in July 2024.

The council report reads “The establishment of a cement mixing plant is expected to benefit Bulawayo Metropolitan Province and other provinces in many ways, such as increased supply of cement, employment for more than 500 local people, increased export earnings for the province, enhanced technology and better equipment for the domestic cement industry in Zimbabwe.”  

Zimbabwe: The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has addressed public concerns about the potential environmental impact of a new US$1bn cement plant being established in Magunje by Labenmon Investments and West International Holdings. Amid fears of pollution to the nearby Kemureza Dam, ZINWA has assured residents that the project will not compromise the water source that serves over 10,000 people.

During an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultation in Chinhoyi, ZINWA’s head of corporate communications and marketing, Majorie Munyonga, emphasised that the cement plant will rely on boreholes for its water needs, thereby safeguarding the dam. The project is currently undergoing further EIA stakeholder consultations to integrate community and environmental considerations.

The Herald newspaper has reported that the initiative by Labenmon Investments is expected to generate around 5000 jobs. However, the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART), representing the concerns of Magunje and Hurungwe residents, has petitioned for a reassessment of the site to mitigate any adverse impacts on the local ecosystem, health and livelihoods. It has stressed the importance of compliance with the Environmental Management Act and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Act.

Zimbabwe: Bulawayo City Council has turned down Labenmon Investments' application to establish a cement grinding plant in Cowdray Park, citing ‘significant’ environmental risks. The plant had an expected output of 900,000t/yr. The council stated the proposed site's proximity to residential areas posed potential pollution hazards, leading to the suggestion of relocation to Umguza District. Concerns were also raised regarding the choice of a foreign company over local alternatives like PPC Cement.

Zimbabwe: Labenmon Investments and China-based West International Holding have partnered for the construction of the planned US$1bn Magunje cement plant in Mashonaland West. The plant will have an integrated capacity of 900,000t/yr, and additional clinker capacity of 1.8Mt/yr. The Zimbabwe Mail newspaper has reported that it will also be equipped with 100MW captive power plant. Construction of a building materials production complex in neighbouring Karoi will commence in parallel with the Magunje cement plant project. Construction of the Magunje plant will generate 5000 jobs in the local area, according to West International Holding. The partners expect the plant, when operational, to help to close a local supply gap.