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CNRG demands probe into Bikita Minerals deaths
2 hrs ago |
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The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has called on Bikita Minerals to suspend operations and conduct a comprehensive investigation following the deaths of two workers over the weekend amid growing concerns about workplace safety at the lithium mining operation.
In a statement issued after making enquiries with the mine, CNRG said Bikita Minerals had confirmed two separate fatalities that occurred on June 6 and June 7.
According to the organisation, the first incident involved Mr Thomas Kaliveni (40), a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey & Company, an independent contractor operating at the mine.
Bikita Minerals reportedly confirmed that Mr Kaliveni sustained injuries in an accident at a waste dump site on June 6 at approximately 7:45pm and later died from those injuries.
The company said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident were underway.
The second incident involved a security guard employed by Rebnek Security, an independent security services provider contracted at the mine.
According to Bikita Minerals, the employee was found unresponsive while on duty during the early hours of June 7 by a supervisor conducting routine inspections.
While the company described the incidents as unrelated, CNRG said information obtained from workers raised serious concerns about occupational health and safety conditions at the mine.
The organisation said employees had reported deteriorating safety standards, particularly within the Quarry and Mining Department where blasting and hauling operations take place.
According to CNRG, workers alleged that the departure of experienced personnel following layoffs that began in June last year had resulted in the loss of critical skills required for safe mining operations.
The organisation further said workers had raised concerns about the construction and maintenance of benches and artificial mounds used by haulage trucks, alleging that some structures did not meet required safety standards.
CNRG also highlighted claims that visibility infrastructure, including reflectors and safety markers across operational areas, was either inadequate or absent in some sections of the mine.
"Workers claim that these deficiencies have contributed to an increasingly hazardous working environment, with incidents involving haulage trucks becoming more frequent," the organisation said.
CNRG said Bikita Minerals did not respond to questions seeking clarification on the incidents and broader workplace safety concerns.
The latest fatalities add to a series of safety-related incidents reported at the mine since its acquisition by Chinese mining company Sinomine Resource Group.
Sinomine acquired Bikita Minerals in 2022 before later increasing its shareholding to full ownership as part of its investment in Zimbabwe's growing lithium sector.
CNRG noted that in August 2025, Farai Murimoga Mutsvange, an employee of WGB Kinsey & Company, was struck and killed by a dump truck while walking towards his vehicle in dusty conditions at the mine.
The organisation also referenced a blasting incident in 2025 that reportedly left three children seriously injured.
CNRG said the recent deaths underscore the need for mining companies to prioritise occupational health and safety, particularly in an industry widely recognised as one of the most hazardous globally.
"Every worker has the right to a safe working environment and to return home safely at the end of each shift," the organisation said.
The call for an operational suspension comes as pressure mounts on mining companies to strengthen safety measures amid increasing activity in Zimbabwe's lithium sector, which has attracted significant foreign investment in recent years.
Bikita Minerals has not publicly commented on the allegations regarding deteriorating workplace safety conditions beyond confirming the two incidents and stating that investigations are ongoing.
In a statement issued after making enquiries with the mine, CNRG said Bikita Minerals had confirmed two separate fatalities that occurred on June 6 and June 7.
According to the organisation, the first incident involved Mr Thomas Kaliveni (40), a dump truck operator employed by WGB Kinsey & Company, an independent contractor operating at the mine.
Bikita Minerals reportedly confirmed that Mr Kaliveni sustained injuries in an accident at a waste dump site on June 6 at approximately 7:45pm and later died from those injuries.
The company said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident were underway.
The second incident involved a security guard employed by Rebnek Security, an independent security services provider contracted at the mine.
According to Bikita Minerals, the employee was found unresponsive while on duty during the early hours of June 7 by a supervisor conducting routine inspections.
While the company described the incidents as unrelated, CNRG said information obtained from workers raised serious concerns about occupational health and safety conditions at the mine.
The organisation said employees had reported deteriorating safety standards, particularly within the Quarry and Mining Department where blasting and hauling operations take place.
According to CNRG, workers alleged that the departure of experienced personnel following layoffs that began in June last year had resulted in the loss of critical skills required for safe mining operations.
The organisation further said workers had raised concerns about the construction and maintenance of benches and artificial mounds used by haulage trucks, alleging that some structures did not meet required safety standards.
CNRG also highlighted claims that visibility infrastructure, including reflectors and safety markers across operational areas, was either inadequate or absent in some sections of the mine.
"Workers claim that these deficiencies have contributed to an increasingly hazardous working environment, with incidents involving haulage trucks becoming more frequent," the organisation said.
CNRG said Bikita Minerals did not respond to questions seeking clarification on the incidents and broader workplace safety concerns.
The latest fatalities add to a series of safety-related incidents reported at the mine since its acquisition by Chinese mining company Sinomine Resource Group.
Sinomine acquired Bikita Minerals in 2022 before later increasing its shareholding to full ownership as part of its investment in Zimbabwe's growing lithium sector.
CNRG noted that in August 2025, Farai Murimoga Mutsvange, an employee of WGB Kinsey & Company, was struck and killed by a dump truck while walking towards his vehicle in dusty conditions at the mine.
The organisation also referenced a blasting incident in 2025 that reportedly left three children seriously injured.
CNRG said the recent deaths underscore the need for mining companies to prioritise occupational health and safety, particularly in an industry widely recognised as one of the most hazardous globally.
"Every worker has the right to a safe working environment and to return home safely at the end of each shift," the organisation said.
The call for an operational suspension comes as pressure mounts on mining companies to strengthen safety measures amid increasing activity in Zimbabwe's lithium sector, which has attracted significant foreign investment in recent years.
Bikita Minerals has not publicly commented on the allegations regarding deteriorating workplace safety conditions beyond confirming the two incidents and stating that investigations are ongoing.
Source - newsday
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