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The company is also ready to engage in discussion with the Government on the way forward about the subject but will also engage other businesses in and around Hwange.
This was said by the company’s managing director Mr Fred Moyo in his opening remarks at the 40th anniversary of the Kamandama Mine Disaster that occurred on 6 June 1972 in which 427 miners perished.
“We are fully aware of Government efforts to empower communities. Our company already runs a vibrant town at great costs unlike other mines but we are ready to organise other surrounding businesses to support the Government efforts to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Moyo.
He said the presence of the 74 widows and families of miners who perished during the Kamandama disaster was a sobering reality that the disaster was still with them and was the most vivid reminder to businesses across the board that accidents do happen.
“This commemoration, ladies and gentlemen, remains the biggest and most vivid reminder to business of what can happen if we do not observe safety.
“The biggest mining calamities involve underground coal mines,” said Moyo.
He said the country was witnessing an emergency of coal mines and called upon the mining industry to come together with the various Government departments and discuss safety issues within the industry.
Mr Moyo bemoaned the difficulties that are faced by companies in the country in competing at international level and when faced with such financial challenges, training and safety programmes tend to suffer in terms of budgetary allocations, in the process compromising safety standards.
“As Hwange Colliery, we pledge to continue prioritising our safety issues,” said Moyo.
Speaking at the same occasion, the guest of honour, Governor and Resident Minister for Matabeleland North Province, Thokozile Mathuthu said companies must continue to contribute to the country’s economic development in a safe and healthy way.
“Just recently, we had a near disaster when 178 workers were trapped in one of the country’s underground mines for close to 17 hours before being rescued to safety. This is a poignant warning to all,” said Governor Mathuthu.
She said she noted with pleasure that Hwange Colliery Company continues to play a pivotal role in the observation of safe working standards as witnessed by their outstanding safety records.
Governor Mathuthu said the Government, through the various line ministries, would continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that mining related economic actors institutionalise safety as a prerequisite in all their operations. She said the 427 miners perished while moving the economic wheels of the nation and region at large.
Meanwhile, the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) has called for the Kamandama Disaster to be commemorated nationally because of the gravity of the disaster.
“Your national executive of AMWUZ is already in advanced discussions with the relevant offices to have this day commemorated nationally instead of being a Hwange Colliery Company baby only,” said the AMWUZ Hwange chairperson, Emmanuel Riyano.
Giving a vote of thanks at the end of the Kamandama Mine Disaster commemorations yesterday, Chief Shana of Jambezi said it was saddening to see that precious lives were lost in train accidents and urged National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) management to emulate Hwange in commemorating victims of accidents.
“Now and again we have their train killing people and nothing happens. Why can you not emulate what is being done by Hwange Colliery who are commemorating the 1972 disaster. Those that are able to tell these NRZ people to have people at heart, please do so,” said Chief Shana.
Online Reporter