The government has not imposed a ban on small-scale mining operations but has urged miners to prioritize safety during the rainy season, according to Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister, Dr. Polite Kambamura.
This clarification follows misleading reports from certain media outlets claiming that the Deputy Minister had called for a suspension of small-scale mining activities.
Speaking in an interview today, Dr. Kambamura reassured the public that small-scale mining remains permitted. He explained that his comments were meant as precautionary advice for miners to temporarily halt operations during adverse weather conditions.
His statement comes in the wake of a mining shaft collapse in Makaha, Mudzi, last week, which left three small-scale miners trapped.
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“We have not banned underground mining. The government recognizes the vital contributions of the small-scale sector, particularly in gold production. However, life is irreplaceable, and safety must always take precedence,” he said.
“Underground mining activities are not prohibited, nor are there plans to ban them. What we are emphasizing is the need for caution during unfavorable weather conditions to ensure the safety of our miners,” he added.
Dr. Kambamura referenced the Makaha incident and noted that miners should consider suspending underground activities during heavy rains due to the risks of flooding and ground instability.
He also recalled a similar tragedy at Battlefields in Kadoma on February 13, 2019, when rain-induced flooding claimed the lives of 24 small-scale miners. “As a precaution, we are advising miners to avoid underground work during rains and to resume operations when conditions improve,” he concluded.
