Bodies of 7 miners trapped underground recovered

Seven artisanal miners were killed after a mine shaft at Auriga 47 Lot 7 gold claim, popularly known as Komasiso Mine in Silobela, collapsed and flooded following heavy rains on Tuesday night.

The group - part of a seven-member syndicate - had descended into the shaft around 7pm for what was meant to be a routine gold ore prospecting operation. But within an hour, torrential rains began pounding the area, continuing for nearly five hours. The downpour flooded the shaft and caused it to cave in, trapping the miners underground.

Rescue operations began immediately, with local miners and community members joining forces in a desperate 48-hour effort to dewater the shaft and reach those trapped inside.

Kwekwe District Development Co-ordinator Mr Fortune Mpungu confirmed the tragedy, saying all seven miners had died before rescuers reached them.

"I can confirm that seven artisanal miners died after a mine shaft they were working in collapsed following flooding," Mr Mpungu said.
"The rescue team, however, conducted a successful operation from November 6 until Friday 8pm, retrieving all seven bodies."

He said Government had declared the incident a State-assisted funeral, adding that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had directed that the bereaved families receive coffins, food, and transport assistance.

The rescue mission was supported by Jena Mines, which provided technical expertise, while Silobela MP Jona Nyevera contributed tents and US$1 000 to assist rescuers. He also donated US$200 to each bereaved family.

"We are very grateful for the assistance from Jena Mines, Bravo the miner, Mrs Thokozile Moyo representing the small-scale miners, as well as the police and the army," said Mr Mpungu.

Nyevera described the incident as a devastating loss for the mining community.

"Friday was a black day for this community as we retrieved the bodies of seven miners who had entered the shaft prospecting for gold ore as usual," he said.
"Unfortunately, the shaft collapsed, leading to their deaths. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families."

He said six of the deceased were from Tambonkala Village in Zhombe, while the seventh was from Marambeni Ward 27 in Silobela.

Nyevera urged artisanal miners to take extra precautions during the rainy season, noting that saturated soil increases the risk of pit wall failures and flooding.

"Even moderate rainfall can fill unprotected pits within minutes, trapping miners underground," he warned.

Small-scale miners' representative Mrs Thokozile Moyo said rescue teams faced serious technical challenges due to flooding and unstable ground.

"The process centred on dewatering the flooded mine, which is hazardous and complicated by ongoing rainfall and weakened ground around the shaft," she said.

She added that the use of excavators in artisanal mining areas had worsened instability.

"Water infiltration weakened supporting structures. We had warned that no excavators should be used in artisanal mining areas, but some ignored us, resulting in unnecessary loss of life," she said.

Mrs Moyo said engineers from Jena Mines would continue inspecting nearby shafts to ensure no other miners remain trapped.

Mr Mpungu warned small-scale miners against going underground during rains and urged communities to remain vigilant.

"We now urge all miners not to go underground when it's raining because the soil becomes fragile. We need to avert such disasters," he said.
"Children should avoid crossing flooded rivers or swimming in pools, motorists must exercise caution, and schools should maintain their structures to prevent accidents during storms."

The Silobela tragedy has once again underscored the dangers faced by artisanal miners during the rainy season - a sector that continues to provide livelihoods but often at a deadly cost.