Protect mines from flooding, miners urged

ARTISANAL and small-scale miners have been urged to protect their mines from flooding during the rainy season as it may expose them to danger and also result in them spending money to drain the water collected in the mining pits.

The rainy season is usually associated with an increase in fatalities within the mining sector with some mines collapsing due to lack of proper supporting structures.

This comes after the Meteorological department predicted a wet spell this week with heavy rains being recorded across the country.

In an interview, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) chief executive officer, Mr Wellington Takavarasha urged miners to put up sheds to avoid water filling up their mining pits.

“In terms of sustainable mining, what people should do is to build trenches on their pits or put sheds to cover their pits. They should have proper shelters, not plastics. We have been advising that, apart from the accessibility of mines, those that have mines need to protect themselves and observe health and safety issues,” he said.

“They have to put proper cabins and sheds. If you go to areas like Mazowe, they have put sheds over their pits. They have discovered that they are at a loss because they will be forced to stop mining to dewater flooded pits.”

Mr Takavarasha said putting shades and digging trenches will reduce the risk of flooded pits.

Stakeholders in the mining sector continue to raise concerns over escalating illegal, unsafe mining activities, particularly among artisanal miners who frequently invade disused mines leading to fatal accidents and extensive damage to key national infrastructure such as roads, railway tracks and schools.

Cases of accidents in the small-scale mining sector have been on the rise, resulting in the loss of human lives due to the sub-standard equipment, which makes it difficult to observe and adhere to standard safety practices.

Also, during the rainy season, mines tend to fail resulting in shaft collapse.

The latest State of Mining Industry Survey Report for 2023 released by the Chamber of Mines shows that the mining industry this year reported 110 fatal accidents between January and July compared to 106 fatal accidents during the same period last year.

The 110 accidents resulted in 120 fatalities and 92 percent of the accidents reported during the period under review occurred underground.

The report notes that large-scale operations contributed 18 percent to the total accidents reported in the period under review. —