ONE person died at Metallon Gold’s How Mine in Bulawayo following a mine accident.
In a statement yesterday, Metallon Corporation said: “Bulawayo Mining Company regrets to advise that an employee was fatally injured on Monday, September 19 2022, during underground mining operations at How Mine.
“Following the accident, first aid was rendered on-site and the employee, air loader operator William James, was evacuated to the Mine Wellness Centre, where he was regrettably pronounced dead.”
Metallon Corporation said investigations into the cause of the accident had begun, with independent investigators now on the ground, while resources were being mobilised to assist the bereaved family.
In 2019, Metallon Corporation also reported a fatal rock fall accident that occurred during a shaft examination at How Mine. It resulted in the death of a miner, while four others were injured.
Mine accidents have been on the rise, especially in small-scale mining areas where there is inadequate monitoring of mining activities by government, with improper mining equipment being used by miners.
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In the past few years, Zimbabwe has witnessed a series of fatal mine shaft accidents that have occurred mainly at abandoned gold mines, while a few happened at legally-run small-scale mines around the country.
Dozens of artisanal miners have been trapped underground at the abandoned mines.
On November 10 last year, six illegal miners, including four from one family were trapped underground when a mine collapsed in Matshetshe, Esigodini, Matabeleland South province.
Other mine accidents have happened at Globe and Phoenix Mine in Kwekwe as well as in Gwanda.
The Mines and Mining Development ministry has in the past admitted that it is struggling to play its regulatory role across the country due to lack of resources, particularly vehicles and inspectors.
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