Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Safety Health and Environmental Council (Zimshec) has called on artisanal and small scale miners to develop Responsible Mining Toolkits critical for the prevention of mine disasters in the mining sector.
Zimshec recently held a Responsible Gold Mining and Sourcing Toolkit training in the mining area of Colleen Bawn, 26km south of Gwanda Town in Matabeleland South Province.
The initiative complements Government’s ongoing research of a Responsible Mining Audit.
In an interview, Zimshec deputy executive director Mr Philemon Mokuele said the training was critical to reduce the risk of mine disasters.
“Since its establishment in 2020, Zimshec has been empowering artisanal and small scale miners with safety and health training, a development aimed at reducing accidents in the small-scale mining sector.
“The Responsible Gold Mining and Sourcing Toolkit training is critical in developing strategies that reduce the risk of mine disasters and improve post-disaster survivability of mine workers. We have heard a number of people trapped in mines due to poor mining practices, this is what we want to counter,” he said.
He said by improving the safety, health and environmental practices of artisanal and small-scale miners, it will ensure all mining activities in the country meet high standards.
Mr Mokuele said they were going to roll out more training programmes to equip miners with knowledge on how to be able to reduce risks at mining sites, especially during the current rainy season when more incidents are also recorded.
He added: “Zimshec’s motto is zero harm is achievable and this can be done if we work together. Issues of health, safety and environmental protection continue to be neglected by some artisanal and small-scale miners. We have miners who conduct their operations without proper equipment and protective clothing.”
Mr Mokuele said some miners work from dangerous shafts, which cause occupational hazards, while there was also a problem of miners who cause a lot of damage to the environment and do not bother to restore the environment as expected.
He advised miners across the country to practice precautions as the onset of the rainy season brings with it grave dangers and risks that are a threat to lives and potential loss of equipment and damage to mines.
Ms Naom Nkiwana from Doctors without Borders (MSF) called on artisanal and small-scale miners to establish modalities that ensure they can reduce mine workers’ risk of occupational illnesses as well as risk of traumatic injuries and fatalities.
She said: “The hazards in mining include accidents, dust inhalation that can cause diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) among others, there are also toxic gases that you can come across underground. So as an organisation we have seen that miners especially artisanal and small-scale tend to be relaxed to seek medical attention and came up with an initiative to visit them where they will be operating at.”
Meanwhile, miners continue to be advised to practice precautions in their operations during the rainy season.
In 2023, Midlands and Matabeleland South provinces recorded the highest number of mining accidents and fatalities, accounting for over 40 percent of the total fatalities and over 41 percent of the accidents reported nationwide.
According to official statistics, the country recorded 237 fatalities in 2023 and 212 accidents.
The highest month with fatalities and accidents was January followed by June and December.
During the rainy season Zimbabwe just like any other country experience heightened risks in the form of flooding, drowning, weakened ground leading to fall and ground subsidence as well as slimes dam breaches which unfortunately lead to loss of lives.
During the rainy season, The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has on several implored all the miners to be cognisant of these dangers and risks. They should accordingly take adequate precautions and practice responsible mining to preserve lives as a top most priority.
Online Reporter
daniel chigunwe
