By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Hwange East – In a move that has sparked shock and unease among locals, Kamativi Mining Company has announced plans to dig up and rebury 14 graves lying within its opencast pit area to make way for expanding its mining operations.
The chilling notice was published under the Cemeteries Act [Chapter 5:04], confirming that the remains of the dead will be exhumed to allow further lithium extraction at the historic Kamativi Mine.
“Notice is hereby given by Kamativi Mining Company, in accordance with the Cemeteries Act, Chapter 5:04, to relocate /rebury 14 graves in the opencast pit area at Kamativi Mine, located in the Hwange East constituency,” reads the statement.
The company claims the move is a necessary step in unlocking the mine’s full potential and reviving operations that have attracted major investor interest due to the site’s rich lithium deposits a mineral now dubbed “white gold” for its central role in electric vehicle and battery production.
While the company insists it will consult with affected families, traditional leaders, and local authorities, the thought of disturbing the final resting places of loved ones has already stirred emotions in the community.
The mine’s expansion comes as Zimbabwe positions itself as a key player in the global critical minerals market. But as profit and production take centre stage, questions loom over the cost—both cultural and human—of displacing the dead for the sake of mineral wealth.
The unfolding situation has triggered heated discussions on the ethical and spiritual implications of tampering with graves, especially in a country where ancestral reverence remains deeply rooted in tradition.