ASM encouraged to adhere to mine safety regulations
Artisanal and Small Scale mine owners have been encouraged to value the safety of their workers to preserve life and honour the dignity of the sector which to some extent is still to be trusted in many communities.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonaland West Chairperson Chiedza Chipangura said the small scale and artisanal mining leadership must lead by example in warranting their workers’ safety to reduce accidents and deaths in the sector.
“I’m in for safety, we must be responsible enough to warrant safety for the people who work for us.
As the leadership in Zimbabwe Miners Federation we must lead by example” said Chipangura.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation Youth in Mining National Chairperson and founder of The National Environment Awareness Trust (NEAT) Mr. Timothy Chizuzu weighed in and said that safety should be a priority in the small scale mining industry.
He said that the owners of small scale mines should make sure that their workers are safe from any hazards to preserve the future generation.
“We want the future of the sector to be preserved, our labour force are the youth, let’s make sure they are well taken care of,” said Chizuzu.
This comes after a mine accident was reported at Butterfly mine in Chegutu owned by ZMF Secretary-General Mr. Morgan Mugawu’s brother.
Police and the Ministry of Mines and Mining development are yet to release a full report on the matter but many versions and theories are being speculated on the issue.
Speculation is rife that there was foul play. There are allegations that the accident was only reported after Mugawu’s brother was declared dead at a hospital in Harare. Efforts to get comments from Mugawu were fruitless as he did not respond to messages sent to him despite messages indicating they had been read.
Small scale mining is considered an important contributor to the socio and economic well being of many people in the country with over 500 000 people believed to earn a living through the sector.
One of the most popular issues in mining is non-compliance with occupation safety standards. Many small scale mining operations are said to be lacking in safety regulations, reinforcement of mine safety requirements, awareness of the risks inherent in mining, and access to better equipment.