15 miners feared dead following mineshaft collapse at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga

BY AGENCIES

MUTARE – 15 miners are feared to be dead after a mineshaft collapse early morning at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, about 50 kilometres west of the eastern border city Mutare. The mine belongs to Mabvuku-Tafara legislator and businessman Pedzai Sakupwanya.

15 miners feared dead at redwing mine Penhalonga

Centre for Research and Development director James Mupfumi was quoted by NewsDay saying that the accident occurred when the shaft collapsed and trapped some gold miners who were operating underground.

Hundreds of residents from Penhalonga have since arrived at the mine to assist with rescue operations.

Redwing Mine, once one of Zimbabwe’s largest gold producing mined, was wholly run by Metallon Gold; and it is now in the hands of current investors Better Brands, whose founder and director is Pedzai Sakupwanya.

Rescue efforts underway [Image: Centre for Research and Development/X]

In January 2023, mining operations at Redwing were halted following the issuance of a non-compliance of safe mining conditions and waste management by Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

However, some defiant artisanal miners have continued their operations, mostly at night.

At the time, EMA’s Manicaland provincial manager, Mr Kingstone Chitotombe confirmed the development and said the goal was to ensure “adherence to safe mining conditions as well as paving way the rehabilitation of the mined area.”