Battlefields: Govt to review mining policy
GOVERNMENT will review the Battlefields mining disaster with a view to effect a shift in mining policy and the implementation of a raft of measures to engender safety and the formalisation of artisanal mining operations, a Cabinet minister has said.
This comes as rescue efforts have led to eight people being rescued alive while 24 bodies have so far been retrieved from shafts.
In an interview during his visit to Cricket No. 3 and Jongwe Mining Cooperative mines in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the review process will begin after scrutinising findings of the Battlefields disaster.
“We are going to review mining practices and unfortunately about two weeks back the Environmental Management Agency visited the site and made certain recommendations and observations which unfortunately were not enforced,” he said.
“Obviously it is a learning point and we will as Government have a serious review of this incident and come up with a policy position.”
Observations by EMA recommended upgrading of safety aspects of the shaft which had not been implemented when the shafts were flooded by water.
Among measures to be considered is the formalisation of artisanal mining activities.
“Formalisation will assist in the sense that it will enable Government to focus on formalised activities rather than haphazard operations.
“This is one of the issues that when we have the review will be one of the action points,” he said.
There are about 500 000 informal miners across the country and there have been growing incidents of injuries and deaths owing to failure to observe safety issues.
Minister Chitando said Government will wait for the review process as provided for by legislation before taking a position.
This also includes reviewing the role of those who failed to implement the EMA recommendations.
“We need to come up with a clear position on the way forward including a proper brief. When we have an incident of this nature there is a process which is provided for by legislation to review what has happened and make people accountable,” he said.
This comes as Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Priscah Mupfumira announced a donation of $10 000 from EMA to assist the bereaved families.
At least 23 bodies have been positively identified and the relatives have since collected them for burial with the Government and funeral service providers such as Doves, FCG and Nyaradzo providing assitance.
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has mourned artisanal miners who perished after mining shafts at Cricket No. 3 and Jongwe Mining Cooperative in Mhondoro-Ngezi were flooded on Tuesday.
It is estimated that between 60 and 70 people died in the flooded shaft incident. So far eight people have been rescued while 24 bodies have been retrieved from the mine.
The tragedy has since been declared a State of Disaster.
The Herald is reliably informed that President Mnangagwa had since instructed Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando and his Local Government, Public Works and National Housing counterpart July Moyo to be in-situ to monitor and supervise the operation.
Addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at Rutenga Business Centre on Saturday, President Mnangagwa said that incident was unfortunate.
“Tine nhamo yakaitika kuKad- oma. Tinehama dzedu hatisati taziva kuti vangani asi vakati wandei vakafusirwa nemvura mumugodhi kuKadoma,” he said.
“Iyezvino Hurumende neMinistry of Mines, Mining Development iripabishi nemacompany akawanda kupomba mvura iyoyo kubvisa kuti tigowana kutora mitumbi yevamwe vedu vakafira mukati imomo. Saka tine urombo nazvo.”
President Mnangagwa had also declared the incident a national disaster in terms of Section 27 (1) of the Civil Protection Act, Chapter 10.06.
The Act provides that in any time it appears to the President that any disaster is of such nature and extent that extraordinary measures are necessary to assist and protect the affected, he may declare a state of disaster within an area defined in the declaration.
This development was announced in a statement by Minister Moyo on Friday. Minister Moyo said donations in kind should be channelled through the Department of Civil Protection housed on the 7th Floor of Makombe Building in Harare or Mhondoro-Ngezi District Administrator’s Office in Kadoma for purposes of accountability and transparency.
He said cash and transfers should be directed to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on EcoCash Biller Code: 140286 or CBZ Treasury Account Number 066215300017, Selous Branch, or on Swift Code COBZZWHA and Branch Short Code 6100.
Minister Moyo said further clarification with regard to cash donations should be directed to Deputy Accountant-General on 00263 242-763027 or email mkondomi@gmail.com.
Enquiries can also be directed to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Department of Civil Protection at Makombe Building or numbers 0026324271287 or 00263712236384
Further enquiries can also be made at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development at the New Government Building, Corner Samora Machel Avenue and Simon Muzenda Street or call 00263242763027.