Harare, (New Ziana) – Eleven miners are trapped underground, presumed dead, following the collapse of a mine shaft they were working in at Redwing Mine, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Zhemu Soda said the collapse followed earth tremors in the area of the mine.

He said combined rescue efforts by the mine and the Ministry were underway, but were being hampered by unsteady ground underground.

“The accident happened between 0500-0600 am today Thursday 04 January 2024. 11 people are suspected to be trapped about 20 metres below surface. Cause of the collapse of the mine shaft is suspected to be an earth tremor whose source is yet to be ascertained,” he said.

“The rescue team of Metallon Gold at Redwing Mine together with inspectors from our provincial office went underground around 0900 am attempting to rescue and had to retreat after noticing the ground still carving in. The team tried again around 1200hrs and noticed that the ground had collapsed more,” Soda said.

He said renewed rescue efforts will resume on Friday, and “we maintain strong hope that these efforts will bear fruit.”

Redwing Mine is a gold mine, and is in Manicaland Province.

New Ziana