Government has issued a strong warning to miners across the country as the rainy season sets in, urging them to prioritise safety and take strict precautions to prevent loss of lives and damage to mining infrastructure.
In a statement released yesterday, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando said the rains present “grave dangers and risks” that require heightened vigilance from all miners, whether operating on large-, medium- or small-scale.
“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.
We experience heightened risks in the form of flooding, drowning, weakened ground leading to falls and ground subsidence, as well as slimes dam breaches,” he said
He stressed that miners must act proactively to avoid repeating past tragedies.
“The Ministry would like to implore all miners to be cognisant of these dangers and accordingly take adequate precautions to mine safely and preserve lives,” Chitando said.
Minister Chitando concluded by discouraging operations in old mine workings, saying the soaked ground becomes unstable and prone to collapse.
“Avoid digging and blasting in old mine workings as the ground may become unstable and bound to collapse,” he said.
Chitando emphasised the importance of thorough risk assessments before entering underground shafts.
“Where such assessment indicates any potential risk, miners are advised to completely stop mining altogether and resume when rains stop.
He revealed that lives had already been lost this season due to flooding incidents he described as preventable if proper safety measures had been followed,”he said
Minister Chitando also urged miners to cooperate fully with government directives aimed at ensuring safe operations.
