SHALOM MINING APPLIED TO EXPLORE OIL AT ZIMBABWE WORLD HERITAGE SITE

One of Africa’s premier wildlife areas has been targeted for oil exploration.

Shalom Mining has applied to explore oil and gas in Mana Pools, which has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, according to a notice in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette.

Mana Pools lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River that serves as the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The river braids across a flood plain, attracting wildlife and serving as the site of several luxury lodges that charge $1 000 a night. The heritage site covers 676 600 hectares, spanning the Mana Pools National Park, Sapi, and Chewore Safari areas.

“On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the floodplains,” Unesco says, describing the site. “The area is home to a remarkable concentration of wild animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards, and cheetahs.”

Shalom has applied for an exploration license over an area of 130 000 hectares and any objections will need to be lodged by 19 May, the Mining Affairs Board said in the notice.

Shalom is a Zimbabwean company, Pfungwa Kunaka, chairman of the board, said, without giving further detail.