THE Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamonds Company (ZCDC) has commenced operations at a potentially high-risk deep diamond processing facility in Chiadzwa, despite internal warnings highlighting grave safety failures that endanger workers, surrounding communities and the environment, the Zimbabwe Independent can reveal.
An internal memorandum, dated November 1, 2024, authored by senior laboratory technician Temba Captain, outlined critical safety shortcomings at the newly-constructed deep boiling laboratory, which handles highly toxic chemicals, including hydrofluoric acid (HF).
The acid — stored at concentrations of up to 70% — is dangerously reactive with the potential to cause immediate, irreversible injury or death upon exposure.
Despite these risks, insiders this week alleged that ZCDC pushed ahead with operations without implementing the recommended safety protocols.
The memo, seen by the Independent, warns of absent chemical storage cabinets, inadequate ventilation systems, the lack of fixed gas detection units, poor emergency preparedness, and operations without the legally-required Environmental Management Agency (Ema) licence.
“There is a great need to have standard chemical storage units that can hold the chemicals we are to be using on a day-to-day basis,” Captain warned.
“It is of paramount importance to have compatible storage as the reaction of HF with any metals can lead to disastrous outcomes. Issues of chemical compatibility have to be considered and having separate storage for the chemicals is ideal.”
The laboratory, which supports diamond cleaning processes at ZCDC’s Chiadzwa concession, is now operational despite a long list of safety hazards.
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The facility reportedly lacks proper effluent containment systems and specialised fume extraction units, with toxic vapours allegedly circulating through shared corridors and observation rooms — putting personnel at constant risk of exposure.
“The collected effluent also needs to have a separate storage cabinet suitable to hold the chemicals and have a minimal release of fumes in the event of a spill,” it said.
“Standard storage rules will apply in the event that two compatible chemicals are stored in one chemical storage cabinet.”
The memo further outlines that the laboratory lacks fixed gas detection systems with clear visual readouts, meaning employees may be unaware of leaks until it is too late.
Compounding the risk is the facility’s remote location — more than 100 kilometres from the nearest hospital — meaning any serious exposure to HF or other hazardous substances could result in delayed medical intervention with fatal consequences.
Even more concerning is the revelation by insiders that the plant was allegedly operating without an Ema environmental licence.
Sources also state that mandatory safety inspections were not conducted, in violation of Zimbabwe’s occupational health and safety regulations. The site falls under the Mines ministry, which is mandated to conduct the health and safety inspection.
“Following the construction of a new deep boiling facility at the Chiadzwa mining operations, there is need to shed light on the capability of the laboratory to function. The laboratory construction is a welcome initiative,” Captain stated in the memo.
“The operation of the laboratory would encompass the handling and storage of hazardous chemicals on a daily basis.
“There is need to address a few of the following issues to ensure the safe operation of all laboratory personnel and other stakeholders involved in the diamond cleaning process. In any laboratory where all personnel are competent and aware of the nature of the work to be done, these risks are considered as low risks.
“However, as a new process being introduced with only a few people aware of operation of the laboratory; having to train the new staff comes with risks when building up competency and, it is vital to have a standard laboratory set as emergency situations can arise during the start of operations.”
Captain further warned that without clear visual gas detection systems, employees could be exposed to undetectable toxic leaks.
“The collected effluent also needs to have a separate storage cabinet suitable to hold the chemicals and have a minimal release of fumes in the event of a spill,” he wrote.
The memo underscores that HF must be stored in specially designed, non-metallic containers, separated from incompatible substances.
“Issues of chemical compatibility have to be considered and having separate storage for the chemicals is ideal,” it states.
“Standard storage rules will apply in the event that two compatible chemicals are stored in one chemical storage cabinet.”
Ema said it was still consulting its Manicaland office at the time of going to print.
ZCDC spokesperson Sugar Chagonda had not responded to questions from the Independent by the time of going to print, having requested that this publication first share the internal document in question.
