MINES and Mining Development ministry officials have abandoned the rescue mission at Eldorado Mine in Chinhoyi, where a dozen artisanal miners were reportedly trapped last week when a shaft collapsed.
BY NUNURAI JENA
Sources said a decision was reached after mine experts made an assessment of the situation and were convinced it was impossible to carry out the exercise due to safety concerns.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabweazara confirmed that the rescue exercise was abandoned after reports that a rock that caused the collapse was too big to be removed without endangering the lives of the rescue team.
“We are told that they found out that there are two big rocks that cannot be removed without causing more danger,” Mabgweazara said.
“I’m sure that Mines ministry officials are studying the report before they think of the next course of action which they will communicate to us.”
Reports indicate that it was impossible to retrieve the bodies of the 12 artisanal miners from underneath two huge rocks that trapped them.
Two bodies were discovered, but only one was successfully retrieved and positively identified.
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Mashonaland West provincial mines director Sibongumuhle Mpindiwa said the accident scene will be sealed off in due course.
