Two artisanal miners are feared died after a mine shaft at Elvington in Chegutu collapsed yesterday morning, trapping nine miners underground.
Authorities confirmed that two miners were found dead, while two others remain trapped in the shaft, known as Mutohwe.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, The Standard established.
Five miners managed to escape, although one of them sustained serious injuries.
Josphat Jaji, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, confirmed the tragic incident.
“Yes, we have been informed of the Chegutu mine accident. Two people have been confirmed dead, while two others are still trapped underground,” Jaji said.
“There were nine people in the shaft, and five managed to come out alive.”
Mashonaland West police spokesman Inspector Ian Kohwera said they are still to receive the mine accident report.
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Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) director, Farai Maguwu, said the increasing frequency of mine accidents points to weak enforcement of mining regulations.
“If you look at this Elvington mine accident, it’s not the first time, which shows a lack of enforcement of mining regulations,” Maguwu said.
“Years back, after a mine accident, operations would be halted and thorough investigations conducted to prevent a recurrence.”
Zimbabwe has recently experienced a surge in mine-related accidents, many of which have been attributed to unsafe practices in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
