…mine accidents a cause for concern
BIKITA-Despite the mining industry contributing significantly to the country’s GDP, the future of workers in the sector remains gloomy and overshadowed by lack of effective healthy and safety practices, Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) secretary general has said.
Justice Chinhema said this while addressing the workers at Bikita SinoMine to mark the international workers day on May 1.
Chinhema said the May Day should be used to reflect on the inequalities and exploitation happening in various sectors of industries that grossly prejudiced and impoverished workers.
He appealed for the improvement of safety and security for workers as the country continue losing miners every week due to work related accidents, adding that the country recorded 139 fatalities and 125 accidents last year.
“In Zimbabwe, nearly one miner dies every week; this is quite a disturbing trend. This is regrettable, as it is expected that every mine should have the appropriate measures and expertise to enhance health and safety.
“I can also report that in 2020 a total of 182 mine workers were reported as having died from 116 mining accidents, in 2021, the country recorded a decrease in both accidents and fatalities as compared to the previous year with 121 accidents and 139 fatalities. As of 30 September 2022, the country had recorded 125 accidents and 139 fatalities.
“This day is also a reminder of the many challenges that still confront working people and the poor in Zimbabwe, challenges that remain obstacles to sustainable human development.
“It Is a reminder of the situation veterans of our industry find themselves in, those retired mine workers living in poverty, those former workers of all closed mines being harassed, evicted and dumped by the road side in areas like Shabani Mashava, Zimasco, Hwange and other areas including Mbada Diamonds workers who lost employment in Chiyadzwa and are still to be paid their terminal benefits,” said Chinhema.
He said the ground accidents remain the largest calamity category that predominantly causes fatalities, followed by transportation and machinery accidents.
The ZDAMWU secretary general added that more deaths in the industry are a result of occupational health diseases than occupational injuries.
“Exposure to silica dust is the main concern, as it leads to silicosis and, as we all know, that leads to lung cancer. It further predisposes miners to tuberculosis, and TB has thus remained a challenge in the mining industry. HIV/Aids have increased the incidence of TB substantially,” he said.
He urged the ministry of mines, NSSA and compliance departments to enforce the provisions of Mine Health and Safety Act to ensure the achievement of zero harm.
“The extraction of the mineral wealth of our country should be done without killing, maiming, or causing any occupational ill health and diseases,” he added.
Chinhema pointed out that mine workers are continuing “to endure harsh working conditions, including, crowded living in dilapidated old houses”.
He called on the mining sector to improve on corporate social responsibility in communities they are operating from.
The trade unionist also commended the Bikita Sinomine board for investing more than US$200 million in the construction of two plants (Petalite and Spodumene).
“The benefits of the investment made at Bikita are beginning to bear fruits with an increase in workers employed (660) we are told an additional 1 500 are set to be employed by year end. The company has also introduced a monthly production bonus which will go a long way in motivating the workers to increase production,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chinhema implored political parties to be peaceful as the country prepares to hold harmonized elections later this year.
“We urge political parties to observe an election which is free from violence. As mine workers we don’t tolerate political violence and we will not be used to commit violence,” said Chinhema
He highlighted that a peaceful election is a conduit for investment in the mining sector to achieve the US$12 billion mining economy by 2030.
