The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has issued a stern nationwide alert to miners, urging them to strengthen safety measures as the rainy season intensifies the risk of fatal accidents in mining communities.
In a strongly worded press statement, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the onset of heavy rains brings grave dangers that threaten both human life and mining infrastructure. He noted that seasonal downpours often trigger flooding, ground collapse, shaft instability and drowning—hazards that disproportionately affect small-scale and medium-scale miners operating with limited protective systems.
“The heavy rains present grave dangers and risks that are a threat to lives and potential loss of equipment and damage to mines,” Minister Chitando warned. He added that the Ministry is deeply concerned by the rising number of incidents reported since the start of the rainy season.
According to the Ministry, this period is typically associated with weakened ground structures, subsidence, slimes dam failures, and water-filled shafts, creating an extremely hazardous environment for underground and open-cast mining. Officials say such conditions rapidly worsen when miners do not adjust operations to suit seasonal risks.
To prevent avoidable tragedies, the Ministry outlined several mandatory precautions miners must adopt:
- Avoid mining along rivers and waterways, where sudden upstream flows can flood shafts in minutes.
- Stop blasting or digging in old mine workings, which tend to be unstable and may collapse during rains.
- Completely avoid robbing pillars underground, as the practice greatly increases the risk of ground failure under wet conditions.
- Refrain from sinking new shafts in low-lying areas, which are prone to rapid waterlogging and unexpected flooding.
- Ensure surface water is diverted away from entrances and shafts to stop water from seeping underground.
Miners are also required to conduct comprehensive risk assessments before entering any underground workings. Where danger is detected, operations must be halted until weather conditions improve.
The Ministry revealed that several miners have already died this season due to flooding-related accidents—fatalities it believes could have been prevented with proper safety procedures. “It is regrettable we have already lost lives this rainy season due to flooding, something that could have been avoided,” the statement read.
Government inspectors will intensify monitoring around mining sites to ensure compliance, and miners are being urged to cooperate fully with authorities. The Ministry stressed that adherence to safety regulations is not optional, especially during seasons of heightened risk.
Minister Chitando emphasized that no mineral deposit, no matter how valuable, should cost a life. “Let us remember that human life is by far worth more than any mineral, so let’s preserve it,” he said.
The Ministry of Mines says it will continue providing updates and reinforcing safety awareness campaigns throughout the rainy season as it works to prevent further loss of life.
