The Civil Protection Unit (CPU) structures have been activated by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to assist in the search and rescue of 11 miners trapped 20 metres underground after a shaft collapsed at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland Province.
A CPU is responsible for protecting people, the environment and property against all kinds of natural and human-induced disasters, whose emergency preparedness activities include disaster risk forecasting, early warning systems, emergency preparedness plans, rescue, collection and storage of emergency items and safe evacuation among other roles.
The activation of CPU means they are to assist in the rescue of the 11 miners trapped underground at Redwing Mine when the shaft they working on collapsed on Thursday morning.
Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, said the government promptly activated the CPU structures to assist with the rescue upon receiving the “sad news” of the mine accident that resulted in 11 persons trapped approximately 20 metres deep in Penhalonga.
“In responding to this unfortunate accident, the government has immediately activated Civil Protection structures to deal with the critical matter of search and rescue at the mine,” Moyo said.
“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is leading a team of experts, including from Metallon Gold and Freda Rebecca Gold Mine of Bindura. “
The acting Local Government minister said the government wanted to reassure the anxious families of the miners and the entire country that the search and rescue operations will continue into the coming days.
“In the meantime, the government will render support to these families during this difficult time. For the avoidance of doubt and contrary to some unsubstantiated reports circulating on social media platforms, the trapped miners are employees of Metallon Gold,” Moyo said.
Moyo stated that as the rescue efforts are underway, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Soda Zhemu has since directed Metallon Gold to suspend operations at the mine.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, we call upon all miners to heed His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s call for responsible mining in order to lessen the occurrence of such accidents and loss of precious life,” he said.
Meanwhile, the mining minister said the cause of the collapse of the mine shaft is suspected to be an earth tremor whose source is yet to be ascertained.
Redwing Mine is owned by Metallon Gold.
