Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
AT least 19 miners have died in the country in the first three weeks of January due to accidents, most of which are as a result of working in areas prone to flooding or unstable ground conditions caused by heavy rains.
Recent heavy rains that have been witnessed in the country have caused flash floods with many rivers, streams and watercourses across the country swelling up.
During the rainy season, artisanal and small-scale miners have been urged to stop mining activities to avoid possible mine collapses because of the wet ground.
The rainy season is usually associated with an increase in fatalities within the mining sector with some mines collapsing due to lack of proper supporting structures.
In an interview, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Chief Government Mining Engineer, Engineer Michael Munodawafa said since the start of the year 19 miners have died.
“Yes, we have been warning our miners on the dangers of continuing working this time when we have heavy rains. Some of them have taken heed but some have ignored, especially unregistered nomadic miners. But that has come with a price,” he said.
“In the first three weeks of January, we have lost a total of 19 miners through accidents, most of which are as a result of working in areas prone to flooding or unstable ground conditions caused by heavy rains. Our miners are supposed to retreat or shelve mining during heavy rains and resume after the rains have stopped.”
He said the breakdown was six in Mashonaland Central, six in Midlands, four in Mashonaland East, two in Mashonaland West and one in Manicaland.
Eng Munodawafa said miners should also make sure their shafts are situated on high ground so that flooding water will not find its way into the shaft and flood the mine which then results in drowning incidents.
“We encourage our miners to avoid entering old shafts or mines whose plans they do not have. We have had multiple fatalities at Bindura and Makaha due to the fall of ground caused by heavy rains and other instability issues caused by heavy rains.”
Recently in different weeks, heavy rains have claimed lives at poorly maintained or secured mine shafts which collapse due to water infiltration, weakening soil stability.
In Bindura, seven artisanal miners were killed following a mine shaft collapse at the disused Botha Gold Mine.
Three artisanal miners also died in a gold mineshaft at Olympus Mine in Makaha, Mudzi District.
In Mberengwa, two artisanal miners died when a 22-metre-deep shaft they were working under collapsed at Knot Brothers Farm.
Other incidents were recorded in different parts of the country as the challenge of artisanal and small-scale miners that continue to embark on illegal mining at disused mine shafts are reported.
Flash floods are a constant threat, often trapping miners underground or washing away equipment and ore.
Increased water levels can lead to drowning incidents in poorly drained or abandoned mine pits.
Additionally, wet conditions make it harder to transport materials and increase the risk of equipment failures and accidents.
The Government has time and again called on miners to prioritise safety measures, including proper drainage systems, reinforced supports and regular weather monitoring to minimise these dangers.
Online Reporter
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