Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
MINING firms have been urged to train their workers on standard safety and rescue measures to prevent loss of life during accidents.
Recently a group of seven miners from Bucks Mine in Colleen Bawn plunged to their death after hoisting ropes to a skip bringing them up the 240-metre- deep shaft snapped 15 metres from the surface.
A 13-member rescue team from Vumbachikwe Mine spent more than 72 hours trying to pump out water from the underground mine to retrieve the bodies.
Speaking recently during the commissioning of the Vumbachikwe rescue team Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe national coordinator, Mr Jeffrey Sanudi said safety remained a concern especially with artisanal miners who were operating without the standard safety measures.
“The 1972 June 6 Hwange disaster was the turning point in the history of mine rescue in the country. We had that disaster and we were not prepared for it. After that disaster, mines were directed to have rescue teams,” he said.
Mr Sanudi said if a mine doesn’t have an inhouse rescue team, it is difficult to promptly respond to a disaster or mine accident.
“We want to cut down on time taken to respond to disasters and render assistance to avoid loss of life,” he said.
Mr Sanudi said most mining houses were now taking safety seriously and were equally prioritising it as production.
He said good safety measures guraantee increased productivity.
Mr Sanudi said there are 13 registered mine rescue teams, nine of which have proto teams which use breathing apparatus and four that operate in open air.
He said their association has engaged all mining houses through the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe where teams are being urged to have either a proto team or a fresh air base team. He said the efforts were bearing fruits.
Mr Sanudi said they have also engaged artisanal miners to equip them with knowledge on basic rescue in mining. He said most artisanal miners were at risk of disasters as they were operating without proper mining standards.
Vumbachikwe mine manager, Mr None Kananji said the commissioning of their rescue team was a significant milestone for the mine.
“We are glad our rescue team has been commissioned as this has been long overdue. We will now be able to attend to mine disasters which might occur here at our mine and also to respond to distress calls from surrounding mines. It will also help us to improve on safety issues at our mine,” he said.
Vumbachikwe rescue team manager Mr Munashe Chineka said their 13-member rescue team went through rigorous training before they were commissioned. He said the team will continue to undergo periodic trainings to ensure that they remain up to the task.
Mr Chineka said all team members had to undergo physical and medical checks and get certified. He said there is also some operational equipment that they had to obtain before they could be commissioned.
“It’s important that we are commissioned as we were carrying out the rescue missions outside the mandate of the Chamber of Mines. For now, our team comprises of men only but we plan to start training ladies’ brigade persons in our team so that come next year, our team will be blended. Our mine rescue team was formed in 2019 and its commissioning was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. – @DubeMatutu
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