Redwing Accident: Miners destroyed support pillars – Minister
The government has asserted that the accident that is suspected of trapping 11 people at Metallon Gold’s Redwing Mine in Penhalonga on Thursday was caused by a possible mining of support pillars commonly known as pillar robbing.
WATCH Minister speak about the Metallon Gold Mine Accident: https://fb.watch/pmIaHWHYxX/
Rudairo Mapuranga
Address journalists at a Press Conference held at 18:00hrs, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Zhemu Soda, said Metallon has been tributing mining areas at Redwing to different companies and individuals and people trapped were workers of the tribute.
He, however said that Metallon has indicated that it has sufficient capacity to carry out the rescue mission.
The Minister said rescue teams have for now suspended operations after noticing that the ground was still curving in.
“The ground is still curving in. It appears like the miners had mined out support pillars.
“I have established that Metallon Gold Redwing has been tributing mining areas at Redwing even to individuals. The Shaft that collapsed was under some individuals and people trapped were workers of the tribute. Management of tributed areas falls under principal owner, Metallon Gold in this case.
“Therefore, the Rescue team from Metallon has been leading in the rescue effort supported by Ministry of Mines and other stakeholders including ZRP and Civil Protection,” Minister Soda said.
About the accident
- The accident happened between 0500-0600 am on Thursday 04 January 2024.
- 11 people are suspected to be trapped underground about 20m below surface.
- Cause of the collapse of the mine Shaft is suspected to be an earth tremor whose source is yet to be ascertained.
- Rescue teams went underground around 0900 hrs attempting to rescue and had to retreat after noticing the ground still curving.
- The team tried again around 1200hrs and noticed that the ground had collapsed more.
- Of concern is the fact that the ground at this place is visibly cracking and subsiding and therefore unsafe.
- Rescue activities will resume tomorrow morning.