Minister Soda blames BayHorse Mine accident on negligence
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Zhemu Soda has cited human negligence as the sole cause of a mine accident which happened at BayHorse Mine in Chegutu on Friday.
Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s third Gold Mobilisation workshop on Monday, Soda said the BayHorse Mine accident was a result of non-compliance with the mining company operating at the site working without a qualified mine Manager.
Minister Soda went on to blame human error and negligence for the mining accidents happening in all small-scale run mining operations.
“Small-scale mining is sustainable to the extent that the miners should be in compliance with the law. The accident happened as a result of non-compliance. We hear that at that mine there wasn’t a qualified Mine Manager who could also give guidance on the actual activities that could be undertaken in the shafts. Human error and noncompliance to us are the causes of Mine accidents that continue to rob us of our miners in various incidents,” he said.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonaland West Chairperson Timothy Chizuzu said small-scale miners should adhere to safe mining practices and consult technical personnel on how to run mining projects safely and sustainably.
“My appeal to all small-scale miners is that they should adhere to safe mining practices and continuously consult technical personnel from the Ministry of Mines and also employ professional safety standards and personnel at their mines,” Chizuzu said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonaland West has donated a beast to feed the bereaved who are awaiting the retrieval of their beloved ones at BayHorse Mine in Chegutu. The accident site is currently hosting many people who are awaiting the retrieval of their relatives from the collapsed shaft.