Zimbabwe's artisanal and small-scale mining sector recorded 64 fatalities during the first three months of 2026, marking a six percent increase compared to the same period last year and raising fresh concerns over safety standards in the industry.
Speaking at a workshop for mine inspectors in Harare, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura revealed that ground collapses remained the leading cause of death, accounting for more than half of all fatalities recorded between January and March.
Improper handling of explosives and exposure to gases were the second-largest contributors, while falls into abandoned shafts and equipment-related incidents also claimed lives.
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The minister said many of the accidents were avoidable and underscored the need for stronger enforcement of safety regulations across mining operations. He challenged inspectors to play a more proactive role in identifying hazards before they result in injuries or loss of life.
Authorities are now pushing for greater adoption of modern technologies to improve oversight in the sector. Planned measures include digital inspection systems, drone-assisted monitoring and advanced geotechnical tools aimed at detecting ground instability before disasters occur.
Government has also expanded safety training programmes targeting artisanal miners, with hundreds already receiving instruction in basic occupational safety and environmental management.
However, officials acknowledged that more work is needed as accidents continue to occur across the country's mining regions.
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