14 mining-related deaths since January

MIDLANDS province has since the beginning of the year recorded 14 deaths from mining-related incidents, with a bulk of the fatalities emanating from the collapse of mine shafts resulting in miners being trapped underground.

This emerged during a recent workshop in Kwekwe which was organised by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

Revealing the statistics during the meeting, Midlands provincial mining inspector, Engineer Elvis Mavhondo ,said most of these incidents occur at unregistered mines.

He urged miners to practise responsible and safe mining methods to reduce the avert deaths from mining disasters.

“Miners and prospecting miners should register their operations and adhere to laid down rules to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. Most of these incidents occur at unregistered mines, which is the reason why we are conducting these workshops to encourage illegal miners to regularise their mining operations,” said Eng Mavhondo.

“We are training and raising awareness among small-scale miners across the province. This was initiated by our ministry in response to mining incidents that have been on the increase since the beginning of the year.”

Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Midlands provincial spokesperson, Mr Oswald Ndlovu, said some miners were in the habit of haphazardly dumping dangerous chemicals that they use in the mining processes, posing a danger to the environment.

“As you know, miners use a lot of chemicals like mercury and other dangerous chemicals. In some scenarios, they end up dumping them randomly, resulting in them finding their way into water bodies,” he said.

“In some instances, some miners leave a trail of destruction in the form of open pits, which is also a danger to both humans and livestock. We are here to conscientise miners on responsible mining.”

Mr Ndlovu, said cases of chemicals finding their way into water bodies have been recorded in the province.

“Such cases are there, but not rampant. We are simply urging miners to think of their environment and their surroundings when mining, as well as to adhere to boundaries of mining statutes,” he said.

Zimbabwe Miners Federation chairperson for Midlands Province, Mr Mukumba Nyenje said: “When mining, we are trying to improve livelihoods, and losing the same lives that we are working for, is not tolerable. We are therefore trying to preserve lives and upscale production by small-scale miners so that we contribute towards a US$ 12 billion mining economy.”

Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development inspector of mines, Engineer Wilson Simbarashe Maenzanise ,urged small-scale miners to utilise the US$ 5 million mining industry loan fund to procure mining equipment.

“This is why miners need to get registered because if not registered, one cannot benefit from the fund.

“Those who meet the requirements are eligible to receive water pumps, generators and earth moving equipment among other equipment as a way of boosting production,” he said.