A team of rescuers has reached the site where 15 miners are trapped underground at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, near Mutare in Manicaland Province. The miners were working illegally at the gold mine when a shaft collapsed on Thursday, blocking their exit.
The rescue team, which includes government engineers and officials from the Mines and Mining Development Ministry, had to overcome several challenges to access the area where the miners are believed to be. The ground was unstable and prone to further collapse, and the mine had been flooded by heavy rains.
The team managed to pump out the water and stabilize the ground using blocks and beams. They also drilled a hole to provide ventilation and communication to the trapped miners. The team is now working on clearing the debris and creating a safe passage for the miners to come out.
The rescue operation has been supported by the local community, which provided food, water, and blankets for the rescuers and the miners’ families. The families have been camping outside the mine, praying and hoping for a miracle.
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Zhemu Soda, visited the mine on Friday to assess the situation and offer moral support. He said the government was doing everything possible to rescue the miners alive and prevent such accidents from happening again.
He also urged the illegal miners, known as makorokoza, to regularise their operations and follow safety standards. He said the government was aware of the economic hardships that drove people to engage in risky activities, but he also emphasized the need to protect lives and the environment.
The Redwing Mine accident is the latest in a series of tragedies that have befallen the artisanal and small-scale mining sector in Zimbabwe. In November 2022, at least 40 miners died after a dam wall collapsed and flooded two mines in Bindura. In February 2022, 24 miners were killed in a gold mine collapse in Battlefields.
According to the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association, more than 500 miners have died in mining accidents since 2018. The organization blames the lack of regulation, enforcement, and support for the sector, which contributes about 60% of the country’s gold output.
The government has pledged to formalize and capacitate the artisanal and small-scale miners, who are estimated to number over 1.5 million. The government has also partnered with the United Nations Development Programme and other stakeholders to implement the Global Opportunities for Long-term Development in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (GEF GOLD) project, which aims to reduce the use of mercury and improve the working conditions of the miners.
As the rescue efforts continue at Redwing Mine, the nation is holding its breath and hoping for a positive outcome. The miners’ survival will depend on their physical and mental strength, as well as the skill and speed of the rescuers. It will also depend on a bit of luck, as the mine remains a dangerous and unpredictable place.
Source: The Herald
