Small-scale mining sector records 100 deaths
MORE than 100 people died in mining accidents recorded across the country in the smallscale mining sector since January this year.
The figure excludes accidents that happened at big mines.
Addressing safety and health officers attending the ongoing Safety and Health at Work (SHAW) 2022 conference in Victoria Falls, Mr Winston Maenzanise, a director in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, said there has been a sharp increase in mine fatalities in the last five years.
He said the major causes of the accidents, especially in the informal mining sector, include improper mining methods, lack of defined mining methods, use of improper equipment and operating machinery under the influence of alcohol.
“More than 75 percent of the accidents recorded involve illegal miners who are usually nomads in nature as they move from one place to another at a very alarming rate,” said Mr Maenzanise.
He said in 2020 there were 84 accidents and 93 deaths.
In 2021, 68 people were killed in 51 accidents and 47 of the deaths were a result of collapse of ground while nine died from inhaling gas and 12 from shaft accidents.
This year, nine fatal accidents have been recorded in illegal mines and 18 in registered mines, causing 107 deaths.
Some of the accidents were attributed to disregard of regulations and use of improper equipment.
“Illegal miners lack competence levels and have no safe mining methods training. They also do not hold blasting licences. Some of the accidents across board were a result of lack of proper and defined mining methods,” said Mr Maenzanise.
He said some operations use windlasses beyond 30 metres despite the law stipulating that they should be used only up to 30 metres.
They also use nylon ropes which usually snap while others rely on human effort on windlasses that usually have no locking mechanism and have poor mine support.
“Some, especially illegal miners, have shafts too close to each other while also working on back filled areas and also use explosives without knowledge,” said Mr Maenzanise.
He said there is a need for miners to acquire skills and knowledge through training.
“Winches and hoists should be used for shafts deeper than 30 metres and these should be fitted with a locking mechanism and using steel rope instead of nylon ropes with proper mine support. Shafts should be at least 40 metres apart, avoid pillar robbing and avoid working in back filled areas,” said Mr Maenzanise.
He said mining areas should also be well ventilated and miners should invest in gas monitors while adhering to four-hour re-entry periods.
Some of the fatalities were recorded in Mzingwane River in Matabeleland South and Battlefields in Mashonaland West where illegal miners carry out operations on rivers.