CNRG, mine workers’ unions call for impartial prob...

CNRG, mine workers’ unions call for impartial probe of Redwing shaft collapse

**Some of the rescue miners soon after being brought to the surface at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland Province**

Audrey Galawu

The Centre for Natural Resource Governance, National Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Diamond & Allied Minerals Workers Union have demanded for an impartial investigation into the Redwing Mine Disaster, which occurred on January 4.

ZDAMWU said an appropriate response is needed to ensure such a disaster does not occur again.

In a statement, ZDAMWU also demanded that the investigating team must include the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development inspectorate department, Parliament of Zimbabwe, Chamber of Mines, Mine workers Unions and civil society, among others.

“A clear roadmap on the future of Redwing Mine and its gold-rich surroundings with a special focus on workers’ safety, wellbeing and livelihoods, environment and governance of mining operations in the area.

“Acceleration of rescue efforts to ensure those trapped are rescued or recovered. We call on the government to mobilise more resources to beef up the rescue activities being carried out by Redwing Mine rescue operators.

“Preliminary investigations show that this was not a properly registered mine. It was operating without a mine manager as stipulated in Statutory Instrument 109 of 1990 Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations.

“All safety procedures were not being followed. Underground pillars had been knocked down, thereby rendering the mine a death trap. The removal of pillars must have been observed by the inspectors from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development if they were doing their work properly.

“Section 104 (2) (m) of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05], states that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development should institute measures to ensure the safety and health of all persons employed in mining operations.

“Further, according to several artisanal miners at Redwing, the structural movements started a day before the eventual collapse, meaning had the mine been operated by experienced management all workers would have been evacuated a day earlier,” reads the statement.

ZDAMWU added that they are concerned with the prevalence of sponsors operating underground shafts at Redwing, which the organisation said puts the life of miners at risk.

“These sponsors know nothing about mining. This raises serious questions on whether the many shafts operated by ‘sponsors’ are registered with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. If they are not registered it means the law is being violated and very stringent action must be taken to end this lawlessness which continues to claim innocent lives,” the organisation noted.

At least 120 miners died between the period of January to July 2023, and October the same year, with at least ten of the miners perishing at Bay Horse Mine in Chegutu.