By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has issued a stern warning to miners across the country following a rise in rain-related mining accidents this season.
It has asked all mining operators to prioritise safety over production.
In a statement, the Ministrysaid the onset of the rainy season brings serious dangers to both life and mining equipment to large-scale, medium-scale and small-scale miners alike.
According to the Ministry, the country experiences increased risks of flooding, drowning, ground weakening, subsidence and slimes dam breaches during the rainy period hazards that have already claimed lives this season.
“The Ministry implores all miners to be fully aware of these dangers and take adequate precautions to preserve lives,” the statement read.
The Ministry acknowledged with regret that lives have already been lost this rainy season due to mine flooding, tragedies authorities say could have been avoided with strict adherence to safety procedures.
Miners were also reminded to fully cooperate with government inspectors and authorities to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
In addition, miners were urged to conduct thorough risk assessments before entering any underground shaft. Where danger is detected, operators have been advised to immediately suspend operations until conditions are safe.
The Ministry advised miners to observe the following safety measures with immediate effect:
Avoid working or mining along waterways, as shafts risk flooding from upstream rains.
Avoid digging or blasting in old mine workings, where the ground is unstable and prone to collapse.
Pillar robbing underground must be avoided at all times, as it severely weakens mine structures.
Refrain from sinking shafts in low-lying areas, which are prone to rapid flooding.
Take measures to divert free-flowing water away from shaft workings to prevent inundation.
“Let us remember that human life is by far worth more than any mineral, so let’s preserve it,” the Ministry said.
As the rainy season intensifies, government officials say strict enforcement and responsible mining practices will be critical in preventing further loss of life in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
The Zimbabwe Mining Safety Health and Environment Council (ZIMSHEC) has also buttressed the government’s call saying preservation of life is above any amount of minerals profits.
“We believe there is no need to lose life in the process of making money. Our policy is safe mining is possible and we support the government’s position. Zero harm is achievable,” the director and spokesperson of ZIMSHEC Philemon Mokuele said.
“Recently we lost seven miners in Silobela and those statistics paint a gloom picture, its unacceptable, ” Mokuele said.
The seven died when their shaft carved in to flooding.