Online Reporter
Midlands Bureau
A 44-YEAR-OLD Load Haul Dump (LHD) operator at Anglo American Platinum’s Unki Mine in Shurugwi, tragically lost his life in a workplace accident on Sunday.
Mr Felix Kore had been elevated to LHD operator early this year.
Unki Mine confirmed the accident in a circular to employees, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of Mr Kore at the mine’s South Section. Kore joined Unki Mines in September 2017 as a lasher.
“He worked his way up, becoming a bolter assistant in 2018. Most recently, he trained and qualified as an LHD Operator in January this year,” the mine said in the circular.
Mr Kore was expected to be buried at his homestead in Village 4, Chironde in Shurugwi. The mine has begun investigations into the circumstances leading to Mr Kore’s death.
His death comes after those of two artisanal gold miners who died when they were trapped in a mine shaft which collapsed on January 9 this year at Knot Brothers Farm in Mberengwa.
The bodies of Desire Mareva (27) and Farai Machenjedze (23) were retrieved six days later and were in a state of decomposition.
The mining sector has experienced a number of fatalities and serious injuries. In 2023, the mining sector witnessed 212 accidents and 237 fatalities, marking a rise of 28 percent from 2022.
Fourteen percent were from mines registered under the Chamber of Mines, 71 percent from illegal mines not registered under the Chamber of Mines and 15 percent were legal miners.
In 2022, Zimbabwe recorded 139 fatalities from 121 mine accidents.
Most fatalities were attributed to fall-of-ground incidents, others from shaft accidents, others classified as sundry incidents while gassing and blasting incidents also accounted for some fatalities.
Hoist rope failure, slippery ground, TAT (tracking and tramming), fall from height, and accidental detonation incidents each contributed to some fatalities.
Miners have been urged to observe safety guidelines in line with the Mines and Minerals Act to avoid accidents.
