CPU clears air on mine collapse

PRELIMINARY investigations into the collapse of shafts at Wonderer Mine in Shurugwi by the Midlands Provincial Civil Protection Unit have established that no deaths have been recorded in the mishap, Provincial Administrator Mr Abiot Maronge has said.

In an interview last Friday Mr Maronge, who chairs the Midlands provincial CPU, said they had suspended operations at the mine after some of the mineshafts collapsed.

There has been reports that several artisanal miners were missing following the mine collapse last week with a long list of “missing” names having been submitted to the police at Shurugwi Central.

Police and various Government departments that form the Midlands Civil Protection Unit were dispatched to the scene.

Mr Maronge said investigations done so far have revealed that most artisanal miners were away on holiday when the mine collapsed and all those who were working underground managed to escape when the mineshafts started giving in.

“There were no deaths recorded at the mine when it collapsed according to the investigations. The mine is said to have shown warning signs that it was giving in. All those who were working underground managed to escape. Most of the artisanal miners were said to be on holiday when the incident occurred,” he said.

Mr Maronge said they have suspended operations at the mine while investigations were still underway.

“The teams are still on the ground continuing with the investigations. We have, however, recommended that operations at the mine be suspended to finalise the investigations,” he said.

Over 300 artisanal miners were reportedly working underground when some shafts of the mine, one of the oldest mines in Shurugwi, started giving in last week.

Some artisanal miners interviewed when the incident occurred claimed that some of their colleagues were still missing.