By Ernest Jumo
Zimbabwe: (News Of The South ) – Heavy rains have forced a halt to rescue efforts of at least 10 miners trapped at Ran Gold Mine in Bindura, Zimbabwe.
The ‘casualty’ toll at the mine is not certain, with some putting the figure at,more than 40.
The mine curved-in 25 November 2020 while rescue had begun the following day November 26.
Zimbabwe authorities, including, Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo and the Chief Government Engineer Mr. Michael Munodawafa, agree to stopping rescue efforts citing increased danger to rescuers as the ground continues to disintegrate causing further collapse.
Heavy rains have soaked the ground making its structure weak and shaky for safe rescue to continue.
Engineer Michael Munodawafa told the Herald News that rescue operations at the old disused mine had been stopped after the site collapsed again on the trapped miners.
“The area where we pumped out water collapsed and we are trying to find a better way of dealing with the situation due to the instability of the ground,” he said.
Rescuers managed to retrieve Edmore Tsongodza’s Sunday 30 November while a rescuer, Mr. Wellington House (34) had also died on site 29 November 2020, after reportedly being hit and drowned in a waterlogged pool by a loose boulder.
Minister July Moyo visited the site Saturday 6 November also confirmed the stoppage of rescue and as well the dangers associated with it.
“The situation has gone worse because of the incessant rains and the ground has become sensitive and it is collapsing,” the Minister said, in a comment to the Herald.
Mr. Moyo also hinted that, since rescue had to be abandoned Government would change approach to dealing with the disaster at Ran Mine Bindura.
Said The Minister, “We must move into the relief approach which include psycho-social understanding of what has happened and work with the families.”
Ran Mine Bindura might well be the mass grave of a yet to be established number of gold miners. R. I. P.
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