Several artisanal miners have reportedly died following a mine collapse at Chegutu–Alisha Mine, near Pickstone Mine in Chegutu, in what is the latest tragedy to hit Zimbabwe’s small-scale mining sector.
Sources on the ground say at least five bodies had been retrieved by mid-day, with rescue and recovery operations still underway amid fears that more miners could be trapped underground.
Chegutu District Development Coordinator, Mark Kadaira, confirmed the incident but said full details were still being established as authorities assess the situation and verify casualty figures.
Emergency teams, local miners and community members are involved in the ongoing recovery efforts. The cause of the collapse has not yet been officially confirmed.
More details are expected as the situation develops.
A Pattern of Deadly Mine Collapses
The Chegutu incident adds to a growing list of fatal mine disasters involving artisanal and small-scale miners across Zimbabwe in recent months, underscoring persistent safety gaps in the sector.
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Despite repeated calls by authorities for safer mining practices and the formalisation of artisanal operations, fatal accidents continue to occur, driven by poverty, unemployment and the lure of quick returns from gold mining.
Mining safety experts have consistently warned that without stricter enforcement, training, and investment in safer mining methods, such incidents are likely to persist.
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