Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
SEVEN people have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a mineshaft at Chegutu-Alisha Mine, near Pickstone Mine in Chegutu, as rescue and recovery operations continue at the site.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo this afternoon visited the mine, located in Village Five in the Pickstone Mine area, where the incident occurred late last night.
By early this morning, rescue teams had retrieved five bodies from the shaft, with two more bodies later identified and recovered, bringing the death toll to seven.
Two artisanal miners were rescued shortly after the collapse and sustained minor injuries.
They were attended to as part of the emergency response.
During her visit, Minister Chombo met and consoled the bereaved families, assuring them that Government would provide assistance during the difficult period.
One of the deceased was a security guard who had been trapped underground at the time of the collapse.
An official from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said preliminary investigations indicate that the shaft gave way due to unsafe mining practices, specifically the undercutting of a high wall, which compromised the stability of the mine.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Chegutu District Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examinations as investigations into the incident continue.
