Minister of Mines and Mining Development (standing, in blue jacket and khaki trousers) Hon Soda, together with Minister of state Manicaland Province Advocate Mugadza (standing far right) and the Rescue Team pictured with the rescued miners at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga on Sunday 7 January 2024
By Lisca Philo
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has directed the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to investigate the Redwing Mine Disaster, emphasizing that the safety of mining workers and artisanal miners remains uppermost.
In a statement, Acting President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga said President Emmerson Mnangagwa who is on his annual leave, keenly followed the rescue efforts throughout and has directed the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to thoroughly and fully investigate the disaster so that government can draw lessons.
“His Excellency the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa who keenly followed the rescue efforts throughout, has directed the Ministry of Mines and Mining
Development to thoroughly and fully investigate this disaster so the Government can draw necessary lessons and adopt appropriate measures to improve safety in the whole mining sector, regardless of ownership and nature of mining activity,” he said.
He added that “The safety of mining workers and artisanal miners remains uppermost. The government is determined to ensure that impressive growth in the mining sector is underpinned by safety standards of the highest order in this strategic sector.”
Redwing Mine collapsed on Thursday November 4 morning reportedly due to an earth tremor and 15 miners who had gone underground that morning were all trapped, about 20 meters under the ground.
A rescue mission was launched immediately but was marred by many challenges as the ground continued to curve in. In his initial report at the close of first day, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Zhemu Soda who descended to the scene soon after the mine collapse said it appeared the miners had mined out support pillars.
He said initial investigations had revealed that Metallon Gold Redwing has been tributing mining areas at Redwing even to individuals. The shaft that collapsed was under some individuals and the people trapped were workers of the tribute.
In terms of the law, management of tributed areas falls under the Principal owner, Metallon Gold in this case.
Rescue efforts led by the Metallon Gold Team in collaboration with Civil Protection Unit, Mines Ministry, Zimbabwe Republic Police, among others faced many challenges but there was joy Sunday when all the miners were rescued alive.
Dr Chiwenga applauded the rescue team for the successful operation which he described as a miracle.
“I deeply applaud the multi-agency teams from both Government and the private sector for a successful rescue operation which saved 15 trapped miners at the Metallon Gold-owned Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland Province,” said Dr Chiwenga.
“Remarkable team spirit and prompt response and mobilisation of resources by all concerned, including the mining sector, saved the fifteen distressed souls, giving our nation nothing short of a miracle without any parallel in the world.
“The situation was dire. Massive tremors collapsed the mine, creating deep cracks around the mine, thus making all rescue efforts hazardous and painstakingly slow. It became a race against time.
“Happily, the operation concluded successfully with all the trapped miners brought to safety. Government is most grateful to the teams involved, and to the 15 trapped miners who kept united and hopeful,” said the Acting President.
Hon Zhemu Soda said a full scale survey will be conducted before the mine resumes operations.
