Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Writer
AT around 7pm on Tuesday, a syndicate of seven artisanal miners descended a mine shaft at Auriga 47 Lot 7 gold claim, popularly known as Komasiso in Silobela, for what was supposed to be a routine gold ore prospecting job.
However, tragedy struck when heavy rains began pounding the area around 8pm, continuing for five hours, flooding the shaft, leading to its collapse and trapping all seven inside, throwing the mining community of Silobela into a delirium of shock and heart-break.
Rescue operations commenced immediately, focusing on the complex and time-consuming process of dewatering the mine.
For over 48 hours, local mines and community members worked tirelessly to save the trapped miners.
The tragedy cast a pall over the close-knit community, with families and fellow artisanal miners holding a grim vigil as emergency crews raced against the clock.
In an interview, Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator Mr Fortune Mpungu confirmed the miners had died before rescue teams reached them.
“I can confirm that seven artisanal miners died after a mine shaft they were working in collapsed following flooding. The rescue team, however, conducted a successful operation from November 6 until Friday 8pm, retrieving all seven bodies,” he said.
Families of the deceased are yet to be formally advised.
Mr Mpungu revealed that the Government has declared the incident a State-assisted funeral. “The Government, through the able leadership of President Mnangagwa, indicated that the families of the deceased will receive assistance, including coffins, transport to their final resting places and food for mourners,” he added.
The rescue efforts were bolstered by technical expertise from Jena Mines, while Member of Parliament for Silobela, Cde Jona Nyevera, contributed tents and US$1 000 to support the miners who entered the shaft to retrieve the bodies.
“Cde Nyevera also gave US$200 to each bereaved family. We also had assistance from Bravo the miner, Mrs Thokozile Moyo representing the small-scale miners, the police and the army. We are very grateful for their support,” said Mr Mpungu.
He cautioned small-scale miners to avoid underground mining during the rainy season to prevent similar fatal incidents.
“We now urge all miners not to go underground, especially when it’s raining, because the soil becomes fragile. We need to avert such disasters,” he said.
Mr Mpungu also advised the broader community to stay alert during the rainy season.
“We advise children not to cross flooded rivers or swim in pools. Communities should avoid travelling in heavy rain, motorists must exercise caution and schools should maintain their structures to prevent roofs from being blown away by winds. These measures aim to reduce fatalities during this season,” he said.
Cde Nyevera expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
“Friday was a black day for this community as we retrieved the bodies of seven miners who had entered the shaft prospecting for gold ore as usual. Unfortunately, the shaft collapsed, leading to their deaths. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families,” he said.
He praised President Mnangagwa for declaring assistance for the victims’ families and noted that six of the deceased were from Tambonkala Village in Zhombe, with the seventh from Marambeni Ward 27 in Silobela.
Cde Nyevera highlighted the increased dangers artisanal mining sites face during the rainy season.
“Landslides and mine collapses from saturated soil dramatically increase the risk of pit wall failures, while flooding of mining pits means even moderate rainfall can quickly fill unprotected pits, trapping miners underground,” he said.
Mrs Thokozile Moyo detailed the technical challenges of the rescue operation.
“The process centred on dewatering the flooded mine, which is hazardous and complicated by ongoing rainfall and unstable ground surrounding the shaft,” she said.
She further noted that the use of excavators by some miners contributed to unstable ground conditions.
“Water infiltration weakened supporting structures and compromised the shaft’s stability. We had warned that no excavators should be used in artisanal mining areas, but some ignored us, resulting in unnecessary loss of life,” Mrs Moyo stated.
To ensure no other miners remain trapped, Mrs Moyo said she and engineers from Jena Mines will return to inspect other shafts.
“We need to be certain there are no other bodies down there that have not been reported.”
