The Chamber of Mines National Mine Rescue Competitions reached a thrilling conclusion today, showcasing the pinnacle of emergency response and safety excellence within Zimbabwe’s mining sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Kelvin Sungiso
The high-stakes finals highlighted the exceptional proficiency of rescue teams nationwide, with Zimplats and Blanket Mine dominating the podium to clean up the majority of top honours across both major divisions. Organised under the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) and hosted by Hwange Colliery, the annual competition tests proto teams in simulated real-world emergencies, reinforcing world-class safety, readiness, and rescue standards for both surface and subterranean operations.
Zimplats Ngezi Crowned Donning Champions
In the prestigious and physically demanding Donning Teams division, where rescuers operate under oxygen apparatus, Zimplats Ngezi claimed first place to be crowned the overall national champions. They narrowly edged out strong performances from Mimosa Mine and Blanket Mine.
Donning Teams Final Standings:
• 1st Place: Zimplats Ngezi (Overall Champions)
• 2nd Place: Mimosa Mine
• 3rd Place: Blanket Mine
• 4th Place: Freda Rebecca
• 5th Place: Redwing Mine
• 6th Place: Hwange Colliery
• 7th Place: BMC (How Mine)
Donning Individual & Specialised Awards:
• Best Individual Male (Theory): Emen Mudenda (How Mine)
• Best Individual Female: Tracy Madamombe (Hwange Colliery)
• Best Team Workload: Blanket Mine
• Team That Attended the Most Call-Outs: Redwing Mine
• Best Captain: Zimplats
Blanket Mine Secures Victory in Non-Donning Division
In the highly competitive Non-Donning division, Blanket Mine clinched the ultimate victory, holding off a fierce challenge from the Zimplats SMC unit. Although Blanket Mine took the overall division trophy, Zimplats SMC put on a masterclass in the individual categories, sweeping every single specialised award.
Non-Donning Division Final Standings:
• 1st Place: Blanket Mine
• 2nd Place: Zimplats (SMC)
• 3rd Place: Shamva Mine (MGR)
• 4th Place: Jena Mines (MGR)
• 5th Place: Pan African Mine
Non-Donning Individual & Specialised Awards:
• Best Individual Male: Spencer Makuwaza (SMC Zimplats)
• Best Individual Female: Netsai Chikonhi (SMC Zimplats)
• Best Team Workload: SMC Zimplats
• Best Captain: Zimplats SMC
Elevating Industry Standards
Today’s results underscore the deep commitment of Zimbabwe’s mining houses to occupational health and emergency preparedness by pushing teams to their absolute limits.
