Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando has appealed to all miners—large, medium, and small-scale—across the country to be aware of the serious dangers posed by the ongoing rainy season.
He urged them to take all necessary precautions to mine safely, protect lives, and prevent potential damage to equipment and mine infrastructure.
In a statement on Monday, 1 December, Chitando reminded miners of the heightened risks during the rainy season, including flooding, drowning, ground instability leading to falls and subsidence, and breaches of slimes dams.
In light of these hazards, he advised miners to avoid working or mining near waterways, where shafts could be flooded by upstream rainfall.
He also warned against digging or blasting in old mine workings, which may be unstable and prone to collapse, as well as against pillar robbing underground.
Chitando further urged miners to avoid sinking shafts in low-lying areas, where mines are at risk of flooding from free-flowing water during heavy rains.
He encouraged them to implement measures to divert water and prevent shafts and workings from being inundated. Added Chitando:
“Thorough risk assessment to be carried out before miners get into underground shafts.
“Where such assessment indicate any potential risk miners are advised to completely stop mining altogether and resume when rains stop.
“Regrettably we have already lost lives this rainy season due to flooding something that could have been avoided.
“Furthermore, miners should cooperate with instructions given by Government authorities to ensure safe mining operations.
“Let us remember that human life is by far worth more than any mineral so let’s preserve it.”
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