By Talkmore F Mapfumo
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has intensified mine safety inspections across Zimbabwe to ensure that mining companies protect the lives of their workers while complying with national safety standards.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura made the remarks during a technical familiarisation tour of Freda Rebecca Mine, operated by Mutapa Gold Resources, in Bindura on Thursday.
The minister said the Government’s priority is not only to increase mineral production but also to ensure that every miner returns home safely.
“We are carrying out safety awareness campaigns and mining inspections to ensure that mines are adhering to safety regulations, wearing the appropriate protective equipment and following mining standards,” said Minister Kambamura.
“As we go around the country, we are not only concerned with extracting gold but also with ensuring that life is sacred. Where safety standards are not being followed, we make sure that the mine is closed.”
He said the ministry had adopted a firm stance against operators who compromise workers’ safety, noting that some mines preferred paying penalties instead of investing in proper safety systems.
“When there is a breach of procedures and safety regulations, we close the mine because it is essential. We have seen that some operators would rather compromise on safety and simply pay the fine. Closing the mine sends a stronger message that safety cannot be negotiated,” he said.
The minister’s visit coincided with the announcement that Freda Rebecca Mine has achieved 1.3 million fatality-free shifts, making it one of Zimbabwe’s safest mining operations.
Mutapa Gold Resources Chief Executive Officer Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya said the company continues to strengthen its safety culture across its operations.
“At Freda Rebecca, we recently celebrated one million fatality-free shifts and have now reached 1.3 million. At Shamva Mine, we have surpassed two million fatality-free shifts, which reflects the strong safety culture we are building across our operations,” he said.
He acknowledged that the company experienced a fatal accident at Jena Mine, adding that investigations showed the incident could have been avoided.
“Our challenge was at Jena Mine, where we experienced one fatality. Although the incident could have been avoided, we continue to perform well overall in terms of safety across Mutapa Gold Resources,” he said.
Speaking to Hurumende News Hub, Freda Rebecca Mine Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Site Manager Tafadzwa Chimweta said the mine has invested significantly in world-class safety and occupational health systems.
He said the mine has attained several internationally recognised safety and health certifications, which have helped strengthen operational standards and contributed to the achievement of over 1.3 million fatality-free shifts.
Chimweta said continuous employee training, strict adherence to safety procedures, regular risk assessments and management commitment remain central to sustaining the mine’s strong safety record.