Zimbabwe’s mining workforce came together last week at How Mine for the country’s annual Mine Rescue Competition — a high-stakes showcase of skill, precision, and preparedness, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
The event brought together miners from across Zimbabwe to test their ability to respond to underground emergencies — from rockfalls and equipment failures to medical crises and exposure to hazardous materials — highlighting the high-risk conditions inherent in mining operations.
Organised by the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ), the competition saw the hosts, How Mine, claiming first place in the Donning category, while SMC Zimplats emerged as winners in the Non-Donning category, reflecting the high standard of emergency preparedness and skill across the sector.
Speaking at the event, Acting Provincial Mining Director for Matabeleland South, Chancellor Chidziva, underscored the critical nature of safety in the industry, saying:
“In mining, safety is not a poster on a wall. It is the blood in our veins, the steel in our spine. Every action we take in an emergency — every bandage, every compression, every calm command — is an act of humanity with a single goal: zero harm yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Mastery of first aid transforms vulnerability into strength, empowers us to protect our colleagues, and fosters a culture of safety that extends beyond the mine into our communities.”
His remarks highlighted that the drills were far more than exercises — they were practical, life-saving preparations for real emergencies where seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
Mining remains one of the country’s most hazardous occupations, with risks ranging from falls and machinery incidents to rock collapses and chemical exposures. Competitions like these play a vital role in building the instincts and confidence miners need to respond swiftly, ensuring minor incidents do not escalate into disasters.
By simulating realistic emergencies, the events sharpen judgment, teamwork, and decisive action in high-pressure situations, turning theory into instinctive life-saving practice.
Chidziva also emphasised three guiding principles underpinning first aid in mining: safety as sanctity, community as cornerstone, and empowerment as legacy. Mastery of emergency response, he noted, not only protects workers underground but also fosters a culture of collective responsibility that strengthens safety awareness beyond the workplace, reaching the communities where miners live.
The competition further recognised the dedication of judges, assessors, volunteers, and organisers whose meticulous planning ensured the event ran smoothly and credibly. Competitors themselves were lauded for balancing gruelling shifts with rigorous training, demonstrating technical skill, composure, and teamwork under pressure — a reflection of the “gold standard of preparedness” in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
For management and safety leaders, Chidziva’s remarks were a clear call to action: investing in first aid and emergency response programmes is an investment in life itself. By equipping miners with the skills to act decisively in critical moments, the industry reinforces its commitment to ensuring that every worker returns home unharmed.
By the end of the day, it was evident that the competition was more than a contest; it was a vivid demonstration of teamwork, resilience, and the unwavering commitment of Zimbabwe’s miners to ensuring that every colleague returns home safely.
As the sector continues to balance productivity with safety, such events remain an essential platform for reinforcing the knowledge, discipline, and quick thinking needed to navigate the dangers of underground mining.
