Small-scale artisanal miners (makorokoza) must halt their operations during the rainy season due to severe risks from waterlogging and collapse of shafts and tunnels in saturated ground killing miners, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Zemo Soda ordered yesterday.
Medium and large-sized formal mining companies can continue their operations, but they must observe the safest mining methods, fully comply with all requirements and comply with all instructions issued by government authorities.
This comes after 15 registered artisanal miners at Metallon Gold’s Redwing mine, which operates in the Tsapauta district of Penhalonga, were recently trapped in a collapsed mine shaft, only to emerge from the ground four days later in what is seen as a near-miraculous rescue.
In September last year, a group of 42 artisanal miners working in a mine at Bay Horse in Chigoto were trapped after a mine shaft collapsed. Rescue workers were able to extract 22 miners alive, while 20 miners died. The collapsed column is now their burial place.
At a media conference on mining precautions during the rainy season held in Harare yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Zemu Soda said it was important for artisanal miners to halt their operations during the rains to save their lives.
“As a precaution, small-scale artisanal miners are advised to stop mining completely and resume when the rains stop. Furthermore, miners should cooperate with instructions issued by government authorities to ensure safe mining operations.
“Ministry of Mines and Mining Development inspectors must be present in full force to ensure compliance with all governance requirements for which the penalty will be imposed.”
“Miners who received awareness training during the safety, health and environment campaigns organized by our Mining Engineering Department are reminded to put what they have learned into practice. They must also share good mining practices with their colleagues in the sector to save lives,” Minister Soda said.
While medium and large miners can continue their operations but have to consider safe mining methods.
“Avoid working or mining along rivers or waterways where shafts are likely to become submerged from upstream rain, posing a drowning risk.
“Avoid digging and blasting in old mine workings because the soil gets saturated easily and the ground becomes unstable and is bound to collapse at any time, burying miners alive. Stealing underground shafts should be avoided at all costs;
“Avoid flooding of mines in low-lying areas where there is a risk of mines being flooded by flowing water during rainfall; miners should take measures to divert freely flowing water from flood works.
The minister assured that inspectors stationed across the country will impose penalties already stipulated through the country’s Mines and Minerals Act on those who do not adhere to the directives. Announce
