MARTIN MAWAYA
SHURUGWI-ChengXi Chengetai Investment has stepped up its environmental restoration drive with an ambitious pledge to plant one million trees over the lifespan of its mining operations, a rare feat in a sector often associated with land degradation.
The initiative comes as Zimbabwe confronts fast-accelerating climate change, deforestation and dwindling water sources, placing the urgency of large-scale reforestation and land reclamation.
Speaking during the provincial National Tree Planting Day commemorations at the Boterekwa Escarpment yesterday, company general manager Simon Karimanzira said more than 20,000 trees had already been planted this year, including 11,200 in the escarpment where extensive rehabilitation is underway.
The mining firm is boasting a 95% tree survival rate, aided by improved nursery practices and dry-season irrigation.
Karimanzira said 33 hectares of the 70 hectares of land disturbed by operations had been fully reclaimed, a 46% restoration milestone.
The company uses a structured three phase model that includes stabilizing soil with vetiver and rhodes grass, reintroducing indigenous tree species suited to the Shurugwi ecological zone, and restoring biodiversity through shrubs, fruit trees and mixed vegetation.
Its nursery produces 40,000 seedlings annually, with plans to expand to 100,000 next year to support both mine rehabilitation and community planting.
“By the time we cease operations, we aim to have planted one million indigenous trees,” he said, noting partnerships with Hunan City University of China and local universities on advanced reclamation and environmental monitoring.
Environmental experts say such interventions are no longer optional as climate pressures intensify.
Reforestation in mined-out areas helps absorb carbon dioxide, prevent erosion, improve water retention, rebuild habitats and cool temperatures benefits increasingly vital as droughts, heatwaves and violent storms worsen.
Restored landscapes can also support fruit production, medicinal plants, grazing and wildlife recovery.
Addressing the gathering, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said Zimbabwe must urgently rebuild its forests amid worrying national and global deforestation trends.
He said National Tree Planting Day supports President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent call for provinces to take responsibility for reviving forest cover.
Zimbabwe is losing an estimated 262,000 hectares of forest annually, part of Africa’s four million hectare yearly loss.
Ncube warned that continued forest depletion threatens water security, biodiversity, tourism and national climate resilience.
“In this climate change era, we cannot afford to treat tree planting as ceremonial. It is a national survival strategy,” he said.
He urged communities, schools and traditional leaders to embrace tree planting as a livelihood and adaptation tool, particularly fruit trees for food security and income generation.
He also encouraged planting of the 2025 Tree of the Year, the Sausage Tree known as Mumvee whose sustainability is under pressure due to over-harvesting.
Government, he added, will continue promoting sustainable forest management, value addition of non timber products and enforcement against illegal logging.
