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Walter Nyamukondiwa in Kadoma
Seven miners died and 11 others escaped with minor injuries when the hoist cage that was conveying them down a mineshaft at Golden Valley Mine in Patchway, Kadoma overran and plunged 80 metres into a pool of water on Monday night.
The miners had descended for almost 345 metres down the shaft when the cage became lose with 80 metres to go.

Government responded swiftly by suspending operations at the mine while investigations into what could have caused the tragedy are under way.

Gweru regional mine engineer Tapererwa Pakwavaviri confirmed the tragic accident and subsequent suspension of operations at Golden Valley Mine to facilitate investigations.

“A hoist which was taking people underground overran and plunged into water at the bottom of the Pioneer shaft, resulting in people being trapped and drowning in the process,” he said.

“Seven died on the spot and 11 people managed to escape to safety. For the time being we have suspended operations.”

Eng Tapererwa said preliminary investigations had been conducted, but they have not established what could have happened.

“Somewhere down the shaft something happened, we are yet to establish if it was human error on the part of hoist driver or defective equipment,” he said.

Those who escaped went out through a small escape gate on top of the cage before it plunged into the water.

When The Herald visited the mine yesterday, a sombre atmosphere engulfed the usually hyperactive small community as people took turns to visit the families affected by the tragedy to pay their condolences.

One of the survivors Timothy Malunga said all was well as they descended into the mineshaft, before the cage suddenly started gaining speed.

“It was something that is difficult to understand because it was so sudden as the cage started moving faster as if it was out of control and suddenly we were battling to get out of the cage,” he said.

Bizeck Phiri a relative to Adon Phiri (24) who died in the tragedy said he had just married and left behind a pregnant wife.

The mine availed $24 to each of the affected families, firewood, cooking oil and five bags of maize.