Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya has issued a stern warning to artisanal and small-scale miners across the country, urging the immediate adoption of enhanced safety protocols during the ongoing rainy season, which traditionally brings increased mining accidents and fatalities, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The call for heightened vigilance comes against the backdrop of recent tragedies, including the Silobela mine flooding that claimed seven lives, serving as a sombre reminder of the deadly consequences when safety precautions are neglected during periods of heavy rainfall.
“The start of the rainy season demands our utmost attention to safety,” Rushwaya warned. “We cannot afford to lose more miners to preventable accidents caused by flooding and ground instability. I implore every artisanal and small-scale miner to prioritise their safety above all else during this dangerous period.”
The ZMF president stressed that the economic pressures of mining must not override safety considerations, particularly when weather conditions significantly increase risks underground.
“No amount of gold is worth a human life,” she stated emphatically.
The rainy season transforms mining landscapes into potentially deadly workplaces through several mechanisms. According to meteorological and mining experts, saturated soils lead to ground instability, increasing the likelihood of shaft collapses that can bury miners alive. Simultaneously, rainfall events occurring miles away can cause sudden flooding in mining shafts through underground water channels and surface runoff, trapping workers without warning.
The Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit has concurrently launched a targeted awareness campaign urging artisanal and small-scale miners to immediately implement enhanced safety and water management systems to mitigate rain-induced disasters.
These seasonal patterns have been observed across Africa, with some governments implementing drastic measures to protect miners. Mali’s government, for instance, previously implemented a temporary suspension of all artisanal gold mining operations during the rainy season, specifically citing safety concerns.
Rushwaya outlined specific, actionable safety measures that artisanal and small-scale miners should immediately implement:
Avoid Water-Adjacent Mining Operations
Miners must avoid working or mining in areas adjacent to rivers or waterways where flooding may occur from upstream rainfall, posing significant drowning risks. Shafts situated in low-lying areas face similar dangers from free-flowing waters during heavy rains.
Steer Clear of Compromised Structures
The ZMF president strongly warned against digging and blasting in old mine workings, as saturated soil can lead to ground instability and potential collapse. She particularly emphasised the dire practice of pillar robbing underground, which remains responsible for the majority of deaths in artisanal and small-scale mining.
Implement Water Management Systems
Simple interventions can prove life-saving. Miners should take measures to divert free-flowing water from flooding their workings, including constructing basic drainage ditches and diversion channels around mining sites to redirect surface water away from shafts.
Know When to Stop
During periods of particularly heavy rainfall, the safest option may be to temporarily suspend operations altogether. “As a precaution, small-scale artisanal miners are advised to completely stop mining and resume when the rains stop,” Rushwaya advised, echoing similar recommendations from the Ministry of Mines.
While individual safety practices are crucial, Rushwaya acknowledged that comprehensive solutions must address the systemic nature of the problem. Academic research on health and safety risk mitigation among artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Zimbabwe reveals that compromised safety stems from interconnected immediate causes, workplace factors, ASM-related factors, and broader contextual factors.
The informal nature of much artisanal mining creates significant challenges for implementing consistent safety standards. Factors such as lack of financing, inadequate equipment, limited mining knowledge, and pressing economic needs contribute to an environment where safety may be compromised.
A multi-stakeholder approach involving the formalisation of the sector, improved regulation, accessible financing, and knowledge transfer is essential for sustainable safety improvements in artisanal and small-scale mining operations across Zimbabwe.
The recurring pattern of rainy-season mining tragedies underscores the urgent need for all stakeholders to prioritise safety. The Silobela incident, where seven miners tragically lost their lives after being trapped in a flooded shaft, represents the devastating potential of these seasonal hazards.
As Rushwaya concluded, “The memory of those we have lost in preventable mining accidents should strengthen our collective resolve to implement and adhere to safety measures. Let this rainy season be different—let it be marked by heightened caution and zero preventable fatalities.”
With meteorological experts predicting continued rainfall in the coming weeks, the implementation of these safety directives becomes increasingly urgent. The choice for Zimbabwe’s mining community is clear: embrace precaution and survival, or risk repeating the painful lessons of past tragedies.
Miners seeking additional safety guidance are encouraged to consult with the Zimbabwe Miners Federation and heed advisories from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
