HARARE – Four artisanal miners are confirmed dead after a mine shaft collapsed at Mamini area, Umsasa Farm, Mazowe, on September 28.
National police spokesman Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the bodies were retrieved from the shaft and taken to Concession Hospital for post-mortem.
The victims have been identified as Alton Sibanda, 25, of Thiavati Village in Zhombe, Prince Gobvu, 19, of Mhuriwa Village in Mhondoro, Kenneth Mhandire, 24, of Eastview in Harare, and Tapiwa Meskano, 26, of Chikwaka Village in Goromonzi.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that mine operators should prioritise safety protocols and above all conduct regular mine inspections to identify potential hazards,” said Nyathi.
The tragedy highlights once again the dangers that continue to stalk Zimbabwe’s small-scale mining sector.
Between January and May this year, authorities reported 59 fatal mining accidents against 58 in the same period in 2024. These incidents led to 70 fatalities, slightly down from 72 at the same point last year.
In 2023, mining accidents claimed the lives of at least 237 people in 212 deadly accidents, making it one of the deadliest years for the mining sector in recent memory.
Most of these deaths occurred in unregistered or artisanal mines where safety protocols are often ignored.
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