Gold panners continue to invade Vumbachikwe Mine

Vumbachikwe Mine community members have complained over the random blasting occurring at the mine amid revelations gold panners continue to invade the mine leading to increase of violent crimes such as murder.


The locals called for increased policing of the area and proper investors to take over the mine with concerns that the current owners are failing to full reopen the mine to make it economically viable as it was before.

The mine was closed in November 2022 following violent demonstrations by the workers wives which resulted in the burning of company property that includes cars. 

The demonstrations were after the company had failed to pay workers for several months complaining about financial challenges. 

Since then, management is struggling to reopen the mine amid indications goldpanners who bribe some of the current skeleton staff invade the mine shafts in search of gold.

A community member who asked to remain anonymous said the area is now full of gold panners.

"This is putting local residents at great danger  as about  a month ago,  one or two people where murdered and the culprits are at large," he said.  

"Random blast is taking place at anytime near low density suburbs and this is affecting us a lot."  

The community member said as of now the underground water is covering upper levels in the mining shafts due to non draining of them.

"Who ever is going to reopen the mine has to invest a lot of money because the damage made underground  is colossal," said one of the workers who are still hoping to be called back to work if the company reopens. 

The worker said he got wind that the management has engaged a small scale miner in Esigodini in efforts to reoperationalise the mine.

"I have been informed that Forbes and Thompson have partnered with a small gold mine currently operating at Esigodini near Falcon  college," said the disgruntled worker. 

"Their first objective is to run the dump and letter resumes underground operations.  To my own view this is game to buy time and giving the Government a misleading picture on the ghost mine."
He noted that of late he was informed that senior staff have been paid US$105, same amount which was paid to lower grades which had a condition attached.

In March this year media reports stated that  three illegal gold panner fell into excavation shaft at Vumbachikwe Mine, with revelations rescue operations and police managed to retrieve only one of them, while other 17 bodies or so of some other panners who fell in to the same place sometime ago were reportedly discovered during the rescue operations.

The concerns were that regular illegal invasion of the mine by gold panners exposes a serious neglect and failure by the current owners Forbes and Thompson Private Limited Company to rescusitate the mine and safeguard it's existances since it's closure in 2022 after crippling protests by workers families over non payment of salaries.

The mine has remained closed with the owners seemingly diverting operation to just a milling company without any significant mining being done.

Indications are that the mine now relies from gold panners for gold ore supplies instead of conducting mining on sight amid concerns some corrupt remaining workers were sneaking in illegal gold panners through demanding bribes so that they conduct illegal mine under ground.

However, Matabeleland South Acting Mining Director Tariro Ndhlovu recently could not respond to questions sent.

The source said less than 100 workers are under essential service, and they do not have hope that it the mine will ever be opened soon. 

The mine last year launched milling plant which workers say has not yet been operation since then.