Blanket Mine Records a Fatality
A fatal incident at Blanket Mine claimed the life of an underground employee, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
On Saturday, an employee was tragically killed by a falling rock while drilling in a development area. The company stated that the individual died instantly from the impact.
“It is with regret that Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc reports that an accident occurred at the Blanket Mine, where an employee was fatally injured due to a fall of rock while drilling. Management is assisting the relevant authorities in their inquiry into this accident. Caledonia extends its condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased,” the company noted in a press release.
This incident marks the first fatality at Blanket Mine since August of the previous year, when an employee from GMG Mining Machines, a specialist in trackless mining machinery, succumbed to injuries sustained during maintenance.
In 2022, Blanket Mine had recorded over 2.4 million fatality-free shifts since 2018, showcasing the mine’s dedication to the safety and health of its workforce.
“Safety is our first priority at Caledonia, and we are committed to continual improvement in safety performance to achieve a zero-harm working environment for all our employees and contractors. We work diligently to foster a strong safety culture at Blanket Mine, supported by our policies, systems, and regular safety training. Our commitment is further demonstrated through safety targets that qualify for our employee bonus scheme,” the company emphasized.
Official statistics indicate that the mining sector experienced 37 incidents resulting in 33 fatalities and 27 serious injuries in the first two months of 2024. Of these fatalities, 15 were attributed to fall-of-ground incidents, while others stemmed from shaft accidents, sundry incidents, and various other causes, highlighting ongoing safety challenges in the industry.