Metallon responds to Mine Accident at Redwing Mine
Metallon Corporation, a prominent gold mining company in Zimbabwe, has expressed deep regret and concern following an accident that occurred on its claims at Redwing Mine in Mutare.
In an official statement released yesterday, the company said as soon as the accident was reported, the mine’s dedicated rescue team promptly mobilized and initiated rescue operations. The company established that 11 artisanal Miners were trapped underground.
“Metallon Corporation regrets to advise of an accident involving artisanal miners working in small-scale mining pits in claims around Redwing Mine. The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 4 January 2024. The mine’s rescue team was mobilised and immediately commenced rescue operations. Early assessments are that 11 miners are trapped,” the company said in a press release.
However, due to unstable ground conditions, several rescue attempts were unsuccessful. Metallon said it is diligently evaluating the state of the ground to ensure the safety of the rescue operation before proceeding.
“The team has made several rescue attempts. However, the ground remains unstable, rendering rescue operations unsafe. Our teams are diligently assessing ground conditions to make sure that rescue operations proceed safely as soon as possible. Initial assessments indicate earth tremors as a possible cause of the incident,” the statement read in part.
While investigations are still ongoing, preliminary assessments suggested that earth tremors may have played a role in the incident. Redwing Mine has a history of operating as a large-scale mine, employing main shafts, but after it was placed under corporate rescue in 2020, artisanal mining was introduced on a broader scale. It is within one of these artisanal mining pits that this accident occurred.
“Redwing Mine has historically operated as a large-scale mine, utilising main shafts. When the mine was placed under corporate rescue in 2020, artisanal mining was introduced on a wide scale. This incident occurred in one of the artisanal mining pits,” the company continued.
Metallon Corporation assured that it is actively collaborating with the authorities to address the situation and provide assistance were needed. The gold miner pledged to share further updates and information as they become available.