HARARE – Nine people died after illegal miners exploded dynamite in a mine shaft in Mazowe, the Information Ministry said on Monday.
The uncontrolled explosion happened on Sunday at Jumbo Mine in Mazowe, Mashonaland Central.
“Information at hand indicates that some people engaged in unauthorised mining exploded dynamite in one shaft causing a collapse in an adjacent shaft. Nine bodies have been recovered so far. Investigations are underway,” the ministry said in a brief statement.
Jumbo Mine is owned by gold miner Metallon Corporation, and was put under care and maintenance in September last year.
The mine has been guarded by the Police Support Unit since its closure to prevent illegal activities, but locals say police have been taking bribes to allow illegal miners to go underground.
Jumbo Mine is believed to have rich gold deposits, which has attracted illegal gold miners from across the country.
Metallon said in a statement the mine collapse happened on Sunday when illegal miners gained access to underground shafts and blasted explosives.
“Tragically nine panners lost their lives. None of these miners were employees of Metallon and all those involved with keeping the mine on care and maintenance have been accounted for,” Metallon said.
At least 24 people died in February when underground shafts were flooded at two abandoned mines in Battlefield, which is to the west of Harare.
With formal unemployment above 80 percent, thousands of young men risk their lives daily working in dangerous underground tunnels in search of gold, Zimbabwe’s largest mineral export earner.
The southern African nation has been working to regulate thousands of people who illegally dig for gold everywhere, including on farms and abandoned mines, mostly under the cover of darkness.
