By Staff Writer
MINES and Mining Development Minister, Soda Zhemu has ordered has ordered all Artisanal Small Scale miners to cease operations forthwith until the end of the rainy season in a move aimed at reducing fatal accidents.
The directive comes on the back of a series of accidents which have been experienced by the mining sector in the country lately.
Just this month, 15 artisanal miners were trapped at Redwing Mine but were unfortunately rescued alive.
The loss of 20 miners at Bay Horse Mine, while smaller in numbers, is still one of the worst mining accidents in Zimbabwean mining history.
“As a precaution, small scale artisanal miners are advised to completely stop mining altogether and resume when the rains stop. Furthermore, miners should cooperate with instructions given by Government authorities to ensure safe mining operations,” Minister Zhemu said in a statement.
He said it should be noted that the Mines Ministry Inspectors shall be out in full force to ensure that there is compliance with all governance requirements failure of which punishment will be imposed.
Zhemu urged miners to avoid working or mining along rivers or water ways as shafts are likely to flood from rain upstream posing risks of drowning and to avoid digging and blasting in old mine workings because soils easily get saturated and ground becomes unstable and is bound to collapse anytime burying our miners alive.
“Pillar robbing underground should be avoided at all costs; avoid sinking shafts in low lying areas as there is a danger of mines being flooded by free flowing waters during the rains and miners should take measures to divert free flowing water from flooding workings,” the Mines Minister said.
