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Manicaland Correspondent
THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is conducting an assessment of all mines in Manicaland to evaluate the extent of damage inflicted by Cyclone Idai on equipment and the possible impact on the sector’s performance.
An initial assessment done by the ministry showed that Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company mines in Marange and Chimanimani as well as Shawa Mine in Buhera suffered significant damage as pits were flooded and some equipment lost.
Provincial mining director Mr Omen Dube said the ministry had teams that were continuously assessing the situation to come up with strategies for the mines to resume operations.
“We have done the assessment on affected mines, especially those in Chimanimani and we are still conducting assessments on small scale mines as well,” he said.
“Since the floods weakened the ground, it is not safe for the mines to resume operation without assessing the area in which they are operating.
In Chimanimani, the teams have not had access to the mine to assess equipment damage, so the value of property that was damaged is yet to be determined.”
Mr Dube said Redwing Mine was currently dewatering pits using pumps, while Dorowa Mine was working with ZESA to assess damage to electric poles and cables.
“Shawa Mine in Buhera, which was partially affected, has been experiencing power shortages as a result of damage to infrastructure, he said. “The road was also damaged and the conveyor belts were buried by mud, thus delaying the resumption of work.”
Mr Dube said the ministry was working on establishing the number of small-scale miners who were affected by the floods.
Rusitu Valley, which was the hardest hit by the cyclone, is home to hundreds of artisanal miners, most of whom are not registered with the ministry.
This, Mr Dube said, is expected to create challenges in coming up with the exact number of miners that were affected as most will remain unaccounted for.
Online Reporter