Zimpapers Logo

Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Academics have called for geo-spatial studies of the cities of Kadoma and Kwekwe, amid concern that they are sitting on top of disused mining tunnels and could collapse anytime.

Addressing a mining stakeholders meeting here last week, Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Vice Chancellor Professor David Simbi said Zimbabwe should draw lessons from the catastrophic Cyclone Idai and Eldorado Mine disasters.

At least 46 artisanal miners were feared to have died when the shafts at Eldorado Mine in Chinhoyi collapsed late last year.

“Kadoma and Kwekwe are cities sitting on top of mining tunnels and l think it’s an area to consider studying, since any collapse will result in the death on many people,” said Prof Simbi. “A study of the two cities is critical, especially at Cam and Motor and Globe and Phoenix.

“We are seeing indications of the tunnels through the activities of illegal miners.”

Prof Simbi said availability or lack of water creates problems and fissures.

“It is an area that requires own solutions,” he said. “We are talking about a tunnel where danger is imminent the moment we tamper with it.”

Prof Simbi said there was need for thorough knowledge of mining maps that belong to old mining companies or even geo-spatial location of the tunnels.

He called for artisanal mining to be professionalised for them to appreciate their contribution to the national fiscus.

Prof Simbi said CUT was working on partnering Government and stakeholders in the mining sector in training artisanal miners on safe practicing methods with a guiding framework already in place.

Several mining disasters have been recorded in gold mining areas with the latest accident in Battlefields where 26 artisanal miners died at Cricket and Jongwe Mining Co-operative early this year.

“Let us look at the sector and say do we want them to operate as an act which is known and acceptable,” Prof Simbi. “As long as we do not accept them it means we are not looking at them as contributors of the economy, but the moment we say an artisanal miners are professional they will work with Government.”

Prof Simbi said artisanal miners should be properly registered.

Stakeholders said the officials should advise artisanal miners on safe mining practices like their counterparts in the agricultural sector who have extension officers.

Another recommendation was Government to create a stand-alone unit in the Mines and Mining Development Ministry that deals directly with artisanal miners.