In a remarkable turn of events, all 15 miners who were trapped underground at Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Zimbabwe, have been safely rescued. The miners were trapped for three days after a shaft collapse at the mine, which is located about 50 km from Mutare.
The collapse occurred at a mine owned by Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya, a controversial gold dealer and member of Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu PF party. Following the incident, hundreds of people from the local community gathered at the site to assist with the rescue operations.
The rescue was carried out three days after the mineshaft collapsed. Mines Minister Soda Zhemu confirmed that the workers were healthy and conscious. The rescue operation’s success was shared on the social media platform X, with video footage showing the workers, covered in mud, being welcomed by a small, jubilant crowd at the mine site.
This mine, which is operated by Metallon Corporation, had been suspended in January 2023 due to safety concerns and the issuance of a non-compliance notice by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). James Mupfumi, director of the Centre for Research and Development, noted that the shaft gave way, trapping several gold miners underground early in the morning.
The rescue of these miners is particularly significant in the context of Zimbabwe, where mine accidents are not uncommon. In September, at least nine people died after the collapse of Bay Horse Mine, a disused gold mine in Chegutu, about 70 miles west of Harare. The Redwing mine itself has been a site of safety concerns, and the successful rescue of all 15 miners is a testament to the coordinated efforts of government and private sector teams.
The government’s deployment of top technology to pinpoint the exact location of the miners underground was crucial in this successful rescue operation. Mines and Mining Development Minister Zhemu Soda praised the effort put in by the rescue teams, noting that it was a collaborative effort involving government departments, the community, and other mining companies like Freda Rebecca Gold Mine.
