At least 13 lives have been tragically lost in a gold mine collapse in Zimbabwe, with rescuers frantically working against the clock to save any remaining survivors. The incident occurred in the gold-rich town of Chegutu, located about 100 kilometers west of the capital city, Harare. Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga made the grim announcement that the death toll was expected to rise, according to state media.
Chiwenga revealed that out of the 34 miners believed to have been underground at the time of the collapse, 21 have been successfully rescued. However, eight fatalities have been confirmed, and the bodies of three victims have already been removed from the mine. Additionally, five bodies have been located but not yet recovered, while the remaining five individuals are presumed dead.
The collapse took place at a disused mine previously owned by a German company, which had not been adequately sealed off. This allowed unofficial artisanal miners to enter the premises in search of any residual deposits. Sadly, mine collapses are not uncommon in Zimbabwe, especially among artisanal miners. The country is abundant in natural resources such as gold, coal, diamonds, and even Africa’s largest reserves of lithium, a mineral in high demand due to its use in electric car batteries.
However, Zimbabwe’s mineral-rich areas, including national parks, abandoned mines, rivers, and even towns, often attract people, including young children, who are seeking valuable deposits. This activity serves as one of the few economic opportunities in a country that has suffered from industry closures, currency crises, and high unemployment over the past two decades.
Critics attribute Zimbabwe’s economic decline to mismanagement and corruption. They claim that the country’s once flourishing economy, which was viewed as a bright spot in Africa, succumbed to these factors. On the other hand, the government blames two decades of sanctions imposed by the United States, alleging human rights violations.
In an unfortunate turn of events, an unrelated incident claimed the lives of Indian businessman Harpal Randhawa and his son. Their plane crashed near a separate diamond mine, reportedly belonging to Randhawa’s RioZim mining company. Everyone aboard the small aircraft lost their lives.
To honor the victims of both tragedies, Vice President Chiwenga announced that the Zimbabwean government will provide state-assisted funerals. President Emmerson Mnangagwa also called for a moment of silence during a meeting of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
The incidents highlight the need for stricter safety regulations and better monitoring of disused mines in Zimbabwe. It is imperative to prevent further loss of life and ensure the protection of workers in this dangerous industry.
