Boustead Beef taking government for a ride again but this could be short-lived

Zimbabwe: Mining Destroys CSC Ranches ran a story in The Herald on 26 August.

Some mining activities have left a trail of destruction at the Cold Storage Company (CSC)’s ranch and feed lot in Darwendale where the company used to keep at least 25 000 cattle.

Mining companies owned by both foreigners and locals have set up make shift chrome mines, destroying about 40 percent of the 10 000 hectare farmland, according to initial assessments, but the total area degraded could be larger, officials have said……..

Mr Reggie Shoko, the Boustead consultant, told The Herald Finance & Business in an interview yesterday that mining activities had to a larger extent made the environment unsuitable for keeping animals because of the dangerous chemicals used.

“It is now more of a disused mine than a ranch,” said Mr Shoko. “We are also experiencing the same problem in our ranches in Chinhoyi and Bulawayo and we don’t know how we are going to separate our agriculture and mining.”

The following day The Chronicle had another story: CSC-Boustead Beef to establish 23,5MW solar plant

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) has received an application from Boustead Solar (Private) Limited to construct and operate a 23,5MW solar power plant in Bulawayo’ Belmont industrial site.

The power generated is expected to be sold to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

In a public notice, Zera said the project would be connected to the national grid through the construction of a 0,5 kilometres single wolf 132kilovolt line from the proposed power plant and the London Road 88Kv substation.

“Zera has received an application from Boustead Solar (Private) Limited to construct, own, operate and maintain a 23,5MW solar photovoltaic power plant at Boustead Beef premises at 61 Birkenhead Road in Belmont in Bulawayo,” it said.

The licence application by Boustead Solar (Private) Limited was done in terms of the provisions of Section 42 and 46 of the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19).

“Any person desiring to make representation on this application for a generation licence as advertised may, within 14 days from the last day of this publication, which expires on 9 September 2021, lodge a written representation with Zera,” said Zera. – @okazunga

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