STAFF WRITER
With authorities revealing that the ground remained too dangerous to conduct a rescue operation, hopes of freeing the 11 miners trapped at Redwing Mine in Manicaland Province are rapidly dwindling.
Mines minister Zhemu Soda and senior government officials visited the mine, which is owned by Metallon Corporation. Metallon Corporation said the mishap involved 11 artisanal miners working in small-scale mining pits and claims at Redwing Mine.
“The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday. The mine’s rescue team was mobilised and immediately commenced rescue operations. Early assessments indicate that 11 miners are trapped.
“The team has made several rescue attempts. However, the ground remains unstable, rendering rescue operations unsafe.
“Our teams are diligently assessing ground conditions to make sure that rescue operations proceed safely as soon as possible. “Initial assessments indicate earth tremors as a possible cause of the incident. Further information will be released as it becomes available,” Soda said.
He added: “Cause of the collapse of the mine shaft is suspected to be an earth tremor whose source is yet to be ascertained. The miners are suspected to have entered the mine through different shafts.
“The rescue team of Metallon Gold at Redwing Mine together with inspectors from our (Manicaland) provincial office went underground at around 09:00hrs attempting to rescue and had to retreat after noticing the ground still carving in.
“The team tried again at around 12:00hrs and noticed that the ground had collapsed more. More cracks developed on the surface and subsidence was noticed on the surface around the mine. “The ground is still curving in. It appears the miners had mined out support pillars. Of concern is the fact that the ground at this place is visibly cracking and subsiding and, therefore, is unsafe,” Soda said.
