Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE country last year recorded the worst mine disasters in 51 years with 237 fatalities from 212 reported accidents, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has revealed.
The worst mine disaster in the country remains the Kamandama Mine disaster that occurred in 1972 and claimed 427 miners. The disaster happened on June 6, 1972, when a series of underground explosions occurred at the Wankie (now Hwange) No.2 Colliery.
Presenting at the National Civil Protection Committee meeting convened on Thursday in Harare, Chief Government Mining Engineer Michael Munodawafa said it was important to note that most of the fatalities – over 60 percent were happening at unregistered or illegal mining operations for which the ministry had no direct control.
“The year 2023 was one of the worst in terms of mine disasters after the 1972 disaster at Hwange. We recorded 237 fatalities from 212 reported accidents. It must be noted that some of the accidents can go unreported. Most of our disasters or accidents are caused by lack of knowledge or training by the miners and some are caused by blatant disregard of the laws governing our mining. There is also so much pillar robbing that has been taking place especially in old mining sites,” said Eng Munodawafa.
The ministry said the number of fatalities have been fluctuating over the past six years with 112 recorded in 2018, 182 in 2019, 169 in 2020, 139 in 2021, 182 in 2022 and 237 in 2023.
“Some of the statistics involving pillar robbing in old mining sites include 13 fatalities and 21 survivors at Bayhorse, Chegutu, 15 survivors at Redwing, Penhalonga, 14 school children affected at Globe and amp; Phoenix, Kwekwe, six fatalities and 8 survivors at Lilian Mine, Bubi.
“It must be noted that most of the fatalities over 60 percent are happening at unregistered or illegal mining operations for which the Ministry has no direct control. All registered mining operations can be controlled and be made accountable for their actions and operations. Illegal miners are nomadic such that you see them mining in one district and are ordered to vacate the area tomorrow, you see them in the next district having caused a disaster in the previous district.
“The major challenge is that most of our miners are operating in dangerous environments such as water ways, old workings and unstable ground which pause a danger to the miners. Most of the miners lack proper training in mining. In terms of mitigation and way forward, the ministry continues to encourage all miners in dangerous areas to stop mining operations during this raining season. The ministry has taken advantage and dedicated the month of February to carry out some training and awareness campaigns to the miners registered or unregistered in all our mining provinces for the month of February and March,” said Eng Munodawafa.
He said planning was under way to give basic training to miners to avert some of the disasters associated with the rain season as well as putting up stringent conditions for anyone who wanted to work in old mine shafts to avoid disasters associated with pillar robbing.–@nyeve14
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter