Zimbabwe Mine Shaft Collapse Leaves Dozens Trapped
Faizan Hashmi Published November 26, 2020 | 11:04 PM
Around 40 informal miners have been trapped underground in northeastern Zimbabwe after a shaft in a disused gold mine collapsed, the country's miners' federation said Thursday
Bindura, Zimbabwe, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Nov, 2020 ) :Around 40 informal miners have been trapped underground in northeastern Zimbabwe after a shaft in a disused gold mine collapsed, the country's miners' federation said Thursday.
The disaster occurred late Wednesday in the town of Bindura, around 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of the capital Harare, said Wellington Takavarasha, head of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation.
AFP journalists witnessed rescuers pumping water out of a flooded main shaft hoping to open up a passageway to the miners.
"We understand there were some organised mining syndicates who were mining here," Nathan Nkomo, director of the state rescue agency known as Civil Protection Unit, told AFP at the scene.
"After blasting some of the pillars, that is when the whole mine collapsed," he said, adding that the exact "numbers are not yet established".
Takavarasha told AFP that the miners were working inside the disused Ran Gold Mine when a shaft caved in.
Six miners have since been pulled out and taken to hospital.
"Those who were rescued said there were about 40 people in the mine shaft at the time of the incident," Takavarasha said.
As rescuers worked, hundreds of people gathered on mounds close to the mining area, which is dotted with holes and crevices that miners dig to extract ore.
Some were relatives, sitting under trees as they waited for updates from the authorities.
Funeral companies pitched tents at the site.
"I am waiting for my brother's son who is trapped underground," Patience Jacob said.
"The rescue team is assisting but I think they are not that effective... I doubt they will be retrieved alive," she said.
- Driven underground - Ran Mine was closed 10 years ago and retrenched workers remained behind to informally mine for residual gold.
Mining is a major source of foreign Currency for Zimbabwe, where gold alone accounts for 60 percent of exports.
The gold sector provides jobs to nearly 10 percent of the country's population, according to the International Crisis Group (ICG), a key source of employment in the struggling economy.
An estimated 1.5 million people have turned to artisanal mining as a safety net, the ICG said in a report published this week, adding that poverty and the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic will likely drive more people towards the sector.
Last year, artisanal and small scale miners were responsible for 63 percent of the recorded gold production, according to official statistics.
Small-scale miners often operate illegally to avoid selling their bullion to the state-owned buyer, Fidelity Printers and Refiners, as they are paid only 55 percent in foreign currency.
The remaining 45 percent is paid in Zimbabwean Dollars, which is notoriously weak and volatile.
Accidents are relatively common in decommissioned mines, particularly when the ground is loosened by rain.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rock-solid Ruud racks up season-leading win in Barcelona
At UN, Iran says it will make Israel 'regret' reprisals
G7 hears calls for 'critical' Ukraine aid
EU seeks to leverage might to confront China, US challenge
5 Customs officials martyred as their vehicle ambushed by terrorists in D I Khan
Pak-New Zealand match called off due to rain
NHA restores traffic on roads affected by recent rains in Balochistan
China to fully support Pakistan's efforts against terrorism: Ambassador Jiang
U.S. envoy calls on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
Poland arrests man over suspected plan to kill Zelensky
EU wants to ease youth movement to and from UK
Police foils attempt of supply mainpuri raw material
More Stories From World
-
Israel launches strike against Iran: US media
2 minutes ago -
At G7, Blinken seeks European support for pressure on China
6 hours ago -
Thousands of Bosnian Serbs rally against UN resolution on Srebrenica
6 hours ago -
Israel assault has turned Gaza into 'humanitarian hellscape': UN
7 hours ago -
Husband of ex-Scottish leader charged over alleged embezzlement: police
7 hours ago -
Ecuador hit by power cuts of up to 13 hours amid drought
8 hours ago
-
Hugs or bullets? How Mexico presidential rivals aim to curb violence
8 hours ago -
Kenya military chopper crash kills defence chief, senior officers
8 hours ago -
Biden hails 'incredible' Kennedy family backing against RFK Jr.
8 hours ago -
Maldives court frees jailed ex-president ahead of vote
9 hours ago -
Probe into Portugal ex-PM Costa appears to collapse
9 hours ago -
Jury selection stalls in Trump criminal trial
9 hours ago