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The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has allayed fears that Kwekwe is at risk of collapse due to underground mining activities, saying the infrastructure and buildings in the city were safe. There have been fears that Kwekwe buildings were now death traps, with underground mining tunnels reported to be running though the central business district (CBD).
Last year, engineers from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing condemned the city’s district administrator’s offices on the basis that there were mining tunnels running under the structure.
In an interview last week, Kwekwe district administrator Mr Fortunate Mpungu said the Mines and Mining Development Ministry together with Kwekwe Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) recently released reports which indicate that the city was not in danger.
He said he has since advised Kwekwe’s Civil Protection Unit on the development.
“We got a report from the Ministry of Mines and KCGM and the reports have nothing scary about the state of the city buildings and other infrastructure in Kwekwe,” said Mr Mpungu.
“But as Kwekwe CPU, we remain alert and we have been having meetings to reflect on our preparedness if any type of disaster occurs.”
According to a report released by KCGM, owners of Globe and Phoenix Mine, which has some of the tunnels said to be cutting through the DA’s complex in the CBD, the city stands on solid ground.
“The DA complex is not in any danger of collapse as has been claimed,” read part of the report.
“Public works officials, who condemned the building citing one of our tunnels as the cause for concern, should in future work hand-in-hand with us in order to make informed decisions.
“There are no mining activities being carried out at Joshn Bull shaft by KCGM.”
Online Reporter