11 feared dead at Redwing Mine

ELEVEN people were feared dead after they were trapped underground when a block of one of the mine tunnels collapsed yesterday (Thursday) at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga.

Frantic efforts were being made to rescue them when The Manica Post visited the mine yesterday afternoon, with the rescue teams busy assessing the stability of the ground to ensure their safety and effectiveness on the mission.

Preliminary investigations pointed to the collapsing of mine stopes, mining-induced seismicity and poor timbering of some portions of the mineshafts.

Some miners escaped with varying degrees of injuries from dislodged rocks and the resultant high pressure waves as they navigated their way to the surface.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza attributed the mishap to “earth movements”.

Minister Mugadza, who is also Member of Parliament for Mutasa South, which covers the area, said all relevant departments are on the ground to establish what transpired and the modus operandi to rescue those trapped underground.

“It is true that there was an earth movement which led to the collapse of part of the mine tunnel at Redwing Mine. About 11 people that were operating underground are reported missing. All the relevant departments are on the ground, and by the end of the day they should compile a full report on what actually transpired and what can be done to rescue those trapped,” he said.

Advocate Mugadza said a risk assessment and disaster management plan will be made to avert similar future occurrences.

He said the collapse happened around 6am and those trapped were contracted employees of the mine.

“The cause of the collapse is suspected to be an earth tremor whose source is yet to be ascertained. Rescue operations commenced in the morning with technical guidance from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development engineers.

Rescue efforts have now been suspended till tomorrow (today) morning due to a ground movement that made it too risky to continue.

‘‘So far the company claims that it has all it needs to carry out the rescue mission. The Provincial Civil Protection machinery, including the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development team, ZRP are on the ground to give back-up to the rescue effort,” he said.

National police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said investigations to establish the patterns and root causes of the groundfall-related incident are in progress.

“We are waiting for a full report from

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