CHINESE mining firm, Haulin Quarry Mine (Pvt) Limited, has pledged to pay fees for disadvantaged children in ward 7 in Pumula, Bulawayo, as part of its corporate social responsibility activities.
The company also said it would distribute food to the elderly while providing resources to the Bulawayo City Council for infrastructural rehabilitation projects.
It further pledged to ensure that local residents benefit from discounted quarry prices, fees payments and donation of quarry to schools, council and churches for infrastructural development.
The development followed concerns raised by the residents over pollution from the firm’s mining activities while others blamed the blasting at the mine for causing cracks on their houses.
In an interview with Southern Eye, Haulin Investments spokesperson Rodrick Moyo said there was a lot that the company was doing to assist the community.
He said the mine had paid approximately US$2 561 in school fees and examination fees for 18 learners from nine schools in Pumula.
“In fulfilling its corporate social responsibility, Hualin Investments has been engaging ward 17 residents through the local authority and resident associations.
“The engagements have seen investments in local primary and secondary schools within ward 17 for infrastructure development.
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“The Hualin Scholarship programme pays school fees and Ordinary Level examination fees for selected vulnerable students who are dedicated to their studies.”
He said the company had a long-term outreach programme aimed at supporting vulnerable groups in the ward.
“These groups include orphans, the elderly and people with disabilities who live in ward 17. Orphans receive a monthly donation that provides food hampers and other necessary support.
“The other vulnerable groups receive support as per their specific needs and at a particular time of the year,” Moyo said.
He said the mining firm had donated 70 tonnes of quarry to schools and churches while five schools received cash for infrastructural development.
The mining firm said it had also embarked on water infrastructural development projects with Babambeni Primary School receiving a water kiosk.
“The company is committed to developing the local economy, with more than 90% of its workforce from within ward 17,” he said.
Ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo recently hailed Hualin for assisting the community especially with infrastructural development projects.
“We are particularly grateful for the erection of the community water kiosk at Babambeni Primary School.
“This initiative will be instrumental in alleviating the water problem faced by the residents living near the school, particularly those who are underprivileged and vulnerable,” she said.
