Sports / Soccer
Artisanal miners feared dead in Silobela
2 hrs ago |
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Seven artisanal miners are feared dead after being trapped underground when a mine shaft collapsed in Silobela, Midlands Province, on Tuesday afternoon.
The miners were reportedly working inside the shaft when heavy rains caused the ground to cave in, sealing them underground. Since then, rescue teams have been battling to reach the trapped workers amid worsening weather conditions.
Provincial mining director for Midlands Province, Engineer Khumbulani Mlangeni, confirmed that rescue operations were still underway but said progress had been severely hampered by persistent rainfall.
"Rescue, search and retrieval efforts are still ongoing as of early this (Friday) morning; rains are hampering progress," said Eng Mlangeni.
Chairperson of the Silobela Small Scale Miners Association, Mrs Sithokozike Moyo, said the chances of finding the miners alive were diminishing with each passing day.
"A syndicate of seven artisanal miners was trapped inside a mine shaft on Tuesday following heavy rains. Since then, rescue efforts have failed to retrieve them. We have been pumping out water continuously in the hope of rescuing them," she said.
The rescue operation involves teams from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and local small-scale miners.
Mine collapses are common in Zimbabwe's artisanal mining sector, which employs thousands of people working under unsafe conditions. Authorities have repeatedly urged miners to observe safety standards, especially during the rainy season when the risk of ground collapse increases.
The miners were reportedly working inside the shaft when heavy rains caused the ground to cave in, sealing them underground. Since then, rescue teams have been battling to reach the trapped workers amid worsening weather conditions.
Provincial mining director for Midlands Province, Engineer Khumbulani Mlangeni, confirmed that rescue operations were still underway but said progress had been severely hampered by persistent rainfall.
"Rescue, search and retrieval efforts are still ongoing as of early this (Friday) morning; rains are hampering progress," said Eng Mlangeni.
"A syndicate of seven artisanal miners was trapped inside a mine shaft on Tuesday following heavy rains. Since then, rescue efforts have failed to retrieve them. We have been pumping out water continuously in the hope of rescuing them," she said.
The rescue operation involves teams from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and local small-scale miners.
Mine collapses are common in Zimbabwe's artisanal mining sector, which employs thousands of people working under unsafe conditions. Authorities have repeatedly urged miners to observe safety standards, especially during the rainy season when the risk of ground collapse increases.
Source - The Chronicle
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