Chronicle Editor
ILLEGAL miners have become a scourge for management at the Vubachikwe Mine in Gwanda, which was closed last year due to an illegal protest that resulted in vandalism. With limited activity on some of the outlying shafts, the illegal miners have found their way onto mine property, prompting authorities to engage in running battles with them to protect the mine shafts.
Mine Manager None Kananji explained that they are making concerted efforts to keep the illegal miners at bay.
“You will understand that this action to protect the mine shafts is not only for the good of operations when we reopen but also for the safety of the illegal miners who operate under dangerous circumstances. Our efforts at keeping them at bay are also for their own good,” he said.
Vubachikwe Mine spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa said that a special unit from the police is set to work hand in hand with the mine authorities and in the whole area to ensure the lawfulness and safety of mining communities.
“It should also be appreciated that these illegal miners are a hazard to each other as well, since various conflicts arise amid them, with violence often being resorted to in order to deal with the disputes,” said Mukondiwa.
The dangers faced by illegal miners were highlighted in a recent incident where a young miner from Hwange was attacked in unclear circumstances by fellow illegal miners. He had to seek refuge with mine security, in a move that no doubt saved his life.
“While the illegals are a hazard, in the moral interest of saving life, we had to rush him to the hospital and ensure that he was out of danger,” said Mukondiwa.
The mine management’s efforts to keep illegal miners at bay and the timely intervention of the police special team will no doubt bring sanity to both the Vubachikwe and Blanket mines mining communities.
Online Reporter