CHEGUTU – Seven miners were killed and four others escaped with injuries after a shaft collapsed at Stewart 3 Mine in Pickstone, Chegutu, police said. Monday’s incident is the latest tragedy in a growing list of fatal mine accidents in Zimbabwe, particularly involving small-scale and informal mining operations, where safety standards are often weak and enforcement inconsistent. In November, at least nine miners died in separate shaft collapses in Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, while earlier this year more than 15 artisanal miners were killed in Penhalonga after heavy rains triggered underground cave-ins.
The Chamber of Mines and labour unions have repeatedly warned that illegal and poorly supported mining operations are becoming death traps, citing a lack of proper shaft support, ventilation and safety training. The ministry of mines has previously acknowledged the problem, saying it is struggling with limited capacity to monitor thousands of mining sites across the country. In a brief statement issued on Tuesday, police said investigations into the Chegutu incident were ongoing.
