A tragic accident in Gweru has once again thrown the spotlight on the dangers of artisanal mining after three miners were killed and two others seriously injured when a shaft collapsed in the Mandindi area, close to Sino Cement, on Wednesday. Local authorities confirmed the fatalities and warned that more people may still be trapped underground as rescue efforts continue.
According to Gweru district development coordinator and Civil Protection Unit chairperson, Tarisai Mudadigwa, the bodies of the deceased have been retrieved and transported for postmortem examinations. He confirmed that two of the miners were from a nearby village while the third was from Chirumhanzu District.
“The situation is tragic. We have managed to recover the bodies of the three men who perished in the shaft collapse. They have since been taken for postmortem, while two others with serious injuries were taken to hospital,” Mudadigwa said.
Local residents said the victims were part of a group of artisanal miners who had been working at the site when the shaft gave in. With artisanal mining often carried out in makeshift tunnels without proper support, collapses are a recurring danger.
Respect Taenzana, a villager who witnessed the aftermath, said the collapse caused panic among onlookers, but locals quickly mobilised to try and save those trapped. “Rescuers managed to pull out five people — three were already dead and two had broken limbs. One of those who died was known by everyone here as Mangisi, a very experienced and popular miner,” he said.
Taenzana added that the community fears more miners could still be trapped underground. “From what we know, there may have been more people inside when the shaft collapsed. Rescue efforts are still ongoing, but it is very risky because the ground is unstable,” he said.
Three Artisanal Miners Die in Gweru Shaft Collapse, Rescue Efforts Continue
The Mandindi accident is the latest in a series of mining-related disasters that have claimed lives across Zimbabwe. Artisanal and small-scale mining — while providing livelihoods for thousands — is fraught with risk due to the use of unsafe methods and lack of protective equipment.
Many miners operate without formal training or adequate tools, often entering deep and narrow shafts with little reinforcement. Heavy rains, loose soil, or simple miscalculations can easily lead to fatal cave-ins.
Authorities have repeatedly warned miners about the dangers, but economic hardship continues to drive people, particularly young men, into unregulated mining as a source of income.
Following the Mandindi tragedy, local officials once again urged artisanal miners to exercise caution and adhere to safety standards, while calling on authorities to strengthen regulations and provide safer alternatives for small-scale operations.
“This loss of life is deeply regrettable,” said Mudadigwa. “We appeal to artisanal miners to prioritise safety at all times. We also call upon responsible authorities to ensure mining activities, even at small-scale level, are monitored and safer practices are enforced.”
Mining experts argue that training, formalisation of small-scale operations, and provision of technical support are crucial to reducing deaths. Without intervention, they warn, such accidents will continue to occur.
In Mandindi and surrounding villages, news of the deaths cast a dark shadow over the community. Families of the deceased gathered in mourning, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss. Villagers described the late Mangisi as a hardworking man who had mined in the area for years to support his family.
“He knew the trade well, but accidents happen without warning,” one relative said. “It is heartbreaking to lose him this way.”
The injured miners, meanwhile, remain under medical care and are expected to undergo further treatment for broken limbs and trauma sustained in the collapse.
Zimbabwe has witnessed several artisanal mining disasters in recent years. In 2019, dozens of miners died after heavy rains flooded shafts in Battlefields, Mashonaland West, while others have perished in cave-ins across the Midlands, Matebeleland, and Manicaland provinces.
The latest tragedy in Gweru underscores the urgency of finding long-term solutions for the sector. While artisanal mining is a key source of income for many families and contributes to national gold production, the human cost remains high.
As rescue efforts continue in Mandindi, authorities remain uncertain whether additional bodies will be recovered from the collapsed shaft. Police and local rescue teams are working with villagers to stabilise the ground while carefully searching for survivors or remains.
For now, families await closure, praying that those still underground will be found. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the need for formalisation and support of artisanal mining, with communities urging government and mining stakeholders to step in before more lives are lost.
As one villager put it: “We mine to survive, but every day we go underground we know we may not return. Unless something changes, accidents like this will never stop.”
Source- Bulawayo24
