Occupational health diseases are more life threatening than injuries.

The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Union has revealed that there are more deaths in the
mining industry due to occupational health diseases than occupational injuries.
Speaking during a belated Kamandama disaster commemorations, at Lion’s club recently, the
Secretary General of ZDAMU Justice Chinhema said the health impacts are visible only long after the
exposure, hence the tendency for miners not to be given the immediate attention they deserve.
“Exposure to silica dust is the main concern, as it leads to silicosis and, as we all know, that leads to
lung cancer. It further predisposes miners to tuberculosis, and this has thus remained a challenge in
the mining industry and for Hwange district, we have a challenge.” he said
The mining industry has for years been the backbone of the economy and a major provider of
employment in Zimbabwe, but the benefits of these contributions to development have always been
overshadowed by the industry's poor health and safety records as well as the living standards of
workers.
Chinhema said his union is working towards protecting the lives of mineworkers and is making
vigorous campaigns for better health and safety in the mines.
“We shall be pushing for the implementation of ILO C176 in Zimbabwe and other existing safety and
health laws. We need to continue pushing for the criminalisation of deliberate cause of accidents
particularly where it is proved that the employer has failed to comply with the safety rules and
regulations.”
However, according to ZDAMU, in Zimbabwe, nearly one miner dies every week and this can be
avoided if miners enhance health and safety.
In 2020, a total of 182 mineworkers died from 116 mining accidents, in 2021, the country recorded a
decrease in both accidents and fatalities as compared to the previous year with 121 accidents and
139 fatalities. As of September 30, 2022, the country had recorded 125 accidents and 139 fatalities.