BY STAFF REPORTER

Concern has been raised over the high fatality rate in the mining industry in Zimbabwe amid revelations that more than 237 workers died in mine related accidents in 2023 rising from 212 from the previous year.

According to the government; more deaths that may have gone unreported could have occurred in the industry. The year 2022 recorded 139 fatalities from 121 accidents.

Chief Government Mining Engineer Michael Munodawafa most of the deaths involved unregistered artisanal miners.

“This figure (237) is scary. Most of the accidents occurred in unregistered mines, and we have a problem controlling these illegal miners because of a shortage of resources. Out of all the miners in the country, less than 50 percent are registered,” Munodawafa said.

He said the year 2024 had started on a bad note with 15 Penhalonga artisanal miners spending four days trapped underground this month when a shaft collapsed at the Redwing Mine.

Artisanal miners are at high risk of accidents because they lack the skills and technical capacity to implement and observe occupational safety and health practices.  

Recently, the Centre for Research and Development (CRD) and Penhalonga Youth and Development Trust in a statement over the trapped miners said the government must be held accountable for the tragedy.

 “CRD and Penhalonga Youth Development Trust hold the government accountable for the unfolding mining disaster at Redwing Mine,” the organisations said.

The government is accused of ignoring safety standards at the mine risking the lives of miners.

“Information gathered by CRD indicates that the previous mining operations by Betterbrands had depleted surface and shaft pillars, local mining experts interviewed indicate that the mine collapse could have occurred between level

Centre for Natural Resources Governance director Farai Maguwu, said mine management had been warned of the impending collapse.

 “There was prior warning before the mine collapsed. There is no mine that can collapse without a warning. It seems there was no professional supervisor to warn against the mining collapse, which could have been avoided,’ said Maguwu.

The Zimbabwe Mining Safety, Health and Environmental Council (ZIMSHEC) added its weight in calling for responsible mining in Zimbabwe.

ZIMSHEC spokesperson Philemon Mokuele said the growth of the mining industry is hampered by health and safety challenges.

“Our mining should uphold all safe mining practices and we should be seen to be taking part in that. We applaud the response that rescued all the miners at Redwing Mine, but hope the accident provides us with a lesson on the importance of safety precautions during extraction of ore which is the most dangerous part. Our organisation noted with concern the accident at Redwing Mine in Manicaland where there was a serious threat to human lives. We also noticed, obviously with joy, that in the end no human life was lost, no gold or mineral is worth more than human life,” he said.