News / National
2 gold panners killed in West Nicholson mine collapse
03 Jul 2017 at 19:07hrs | Views
Two illegal gold panners died while three others were injured after a mine shaft they were working on at Geelong 2 Mine in West Nicholson collapsed in the early hours of today.
Unfortunately, while the gold panners were about 210 metres underground, the shaft they were working on gave in resulting in two of the miners being crushed to death while three others were injured .
One of the victims, Brian Moyo was treated and discharged at Gwanda Provincial Hospital while the other two survivors Prince Garamkanwa and Admire Nkolomi are battling for their lives at the United Bulawayo Group of Hospitals.
When the reporters visited the mine, morale was low among workers and little activity was taking place.
Some of the workers said while they are aware of the dangers associated with mining and the importance of taking safety precautions, the need to make money at whatever cost pushes them to take risks.
It is not the first time that people have died at Geelong Mine.
In 2015 three gold panners were killed when a rock fell on the trio while searching for gold in a 400 metre deep mine shaft.
Meanwhile, the names of the deceased are still being witheld until their next of kin have been notified.
ZRP Matabeleland South public relations liaison officer, Inspector Philisani Ndebele referred all questions to police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi who could not confirm the incident .
Unfortunately, while the gold panners were about 210 metres underground, the shaft they were working on gave in resulting in two of the miners being crushed to death while three others were injured .
One of the victims, Brian Moyo was treated and discharged at Gwanda Provincial Hospital while the other two survivors Prince Garamkanwa and Admire Nkolomi are battling for their lives at the United Bulawayo Group of Hospitals.
When the reporters visited the mine, morale was low among workers and little activity was taking place.
It is not the first time that people have died at Geelong Mine.
In 2015 three gold panners were killed when a rock fell on the trio while searching for gold in a 400 metre deep mine shaft.
Meanwhile, the names of the deceased are still being witheld until their next of kin have been notified.
ZRP Matabeleland South public relations liaison officer, Inspector Philisani Ndebele referred all questions to police spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi who could not confirm the incident .
Source - zbc
