Sharon Chikowore

TWO people are still missing after a mine shaft entry collapsed with five workers inside at Bubugao Mine, Golden Kopje.

The employees had entered the shaft on April 28 when the sad incident happened. The status of the two trapped miners is still unknown.

Mashonaland West acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Agarry Jaure, confirmed this incident of the mine shaft collapse since the mine owner made a report to Chinhoyi Rural, who then visited the scene and observed that the mine had collapsed from outside.

Three of the trapped miners were able to rescue themselves by finding a way to crawl out of the shaft, while the other two were still trapped inside. Mine owners and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development together with Civil Protection Unit were on the ground trying to retrieve the workers.

The Secretary General for Junior Chamber of Miners Zimbabwe, Dosman Mangisi, said mining companies and individuals needed to engage in intensive trainings to minimise life losses as mine incidents were caused mainly by negligence of mine owners, and also workers.

“The collapse of mines is caused by negligence by the miners and the mine owners, who value money more than the life of people. There is also the issue of pillar robbing where the miners do not observe the pillars especially those mining the old mines, you can see quite a number of old mines especially in Chegutu. There was pillar and also no roof support. In mining we say safety first.

“The Ministry of Mines was in a programme of safety, School of Mines is in a serious programme of safety as well as some other organisations. So, encourage miners to press on such kind of activities, especially the mine owners and also this is our thrust as the Junior Chamber of Miners Zimbabwe. We are encouraging all miners to adhere to that. That is why we are working with the School of Mines.

“The school is in charge of safety, health and trainings to make sure that compliance is done. We are also trying to lobby for a zero fatality as we go in the future so that no life will be lost in the mining industry,” said Mangisi.

Earlier this year, there was another mining tragedy which Government declared a national disaster when Bay Horse Mine in Chegutu collapsed with 42 artisanal miners trapped inside.