Seven artisanal miners killed in mine disaster

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

SEVEN youthful artisanal miners perished on Monday night when a shaft collapsed at Alfisha Steward 3 Mine in Chegutu District, with the Government stating that many mines used by artisanal miners ignore safety regulations.

The shaft at Alfisha Steward 3 Mine collapsed after miners allegedly undercut a high wall, causing tonnes of earth to cave in and bury the victims about 7m underground.

Experts said the accident was avoidable and would not have happened had proper procedures been followed.

A combined search and rescue bringing in local volunteers and mining companies, was immediately launched, and by yesterday afternoon, all seven bodies had been recovered.

The bodies were taken to Chegutu District Hospital mortuary for post mortem, while four other miners trapped in the collapse were rescued alive with minor injuries.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi announced the deaths yesterday and the injury of the other four who were rescued.

Speaking at the accident site, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo acknowledged the significant role played by artisanal and small-scale miners in boosting gold production, but expressed concern over the ongoing loss of lives due to unsafe mining practices.

“Artisanal mining contributes more than 60 percent to both provincial and national gold output, and we commend miners for that contribution,” she said.

“However, it is heart-breaking that lives continue to be lost because basic safety procedures are not being followed.

“We are here at Stewart 3 Mine where seven miners were killed after a shaft collapsed. As the Government, we are deeply concerned about the rising number of mining accidents, mostly caused by unsafe practices.

“We urge artisanal miners to prioritise safety to save lives.”

In a telephone interview, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura warned all mines failing to observe safe practices.

“Thorough risk assessments must be conducted before miners enter underground shafts.

“If any assessment indicates potential danger, mining operations should stop immediately and only resume once it is safe to do so,” said Dr Kambamura, mourning the loss of the seven artisanal miners.

Chegutu District Mines Engineer Blessing Mangwanda said preliminary investigations indicated that the collapse resulted from poor mining methods.

“This incident was avoidable. The miners undercut a high wall that was not properly designed or supported, leading to the wall’s failure. Proper mining techniques and adherence to safety guidelines could have prevented this tragedy,” he said.

A survivor, Mr Amos Ncube, 23, expressed relief at being alive after three of his colleagues working nearby died in the tragedy.

He said the group had been lured to work at the shaft by a mine security guard, who assured them they had been cleared by the mine owners.

“We had just started working when the earth suddenly gave way. I was hit on the head by falling debris and buried alive. I don’t remember what happened next until I was rescued,” said Mr Ncube.

Among the dead was two security guards.

Some of the deceased hailed from Chegutu, while others were from Mhondoro District.

Grief engulfed the families of the victims, leaving widows and relatives struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones.

Ms Edesi Musimbi, whose husband was among those killed, shared her heart-breaking experience. She learned of the collapse barely an hour after he had left home.

“He had returned briefly to collect his torch and tools. Within an hour, I received a call about the accident.

“I rushed to the mine site hoping for the best, only to be told that my husband was gone,” said the mother of two.

Like many bereaved families, Ms Musimbi expressed uncertainty about how she would manage to bury her husband, but found some relief upon learning that the Government, through the Department of Civil Protection Unit, had intervened.

The Unit was activated yesterday, with all affected families expected to receive Government assistance to facilitate the burial of the deceased as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the mine collapse continue.