Govt must train artisanal miners on health, safety

CONFEDERATION of Zimbabwe Miners (CZM) president Rangani Chauke has called on government to expedite the training of artisanal miners on safety measures to reduce accidents following reports of rising mine-related cases in the Midlands province.

Recently, Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Larry Mavima revealed that since February this year, the province recorded 61 mine-related deaths.

“What we need is urgent government intervention to train small-scale miners in safety issues,” Chauke told Southern Eye yesterday.

“We are worried about Midlands because most mining activities occur in that province. So we are saying government, as the major stakeholder, should chip in and spearhead training workshops on health and safety issues targeting small-scale miners.”

He added: “The sector currently contributes 60% of formal gold deliveries and is key to the economic turnaround of the country, hence it should be prioritised as it cannot continue to be incapacitated in terms of health and safety.”

He said the Mines ministry should work on modalities to ensure that at every level from district upwards, there were mine inspectors who enforce safe mining operations in the sector.

Over the years, artisanal and small-scale miners have been accused of contributing to environmental degradation as well as a poor health and safety record.

Despite being prone to accidents, players in the sector continue to lead in gold production.

Latest data from Fidelity Printers and Refiners shows that between January and July this year, the sector delivered 7 128 tonnes, while large-scale miners accounted for 489 tonnes of the yellow metal.