Four Days Underground: Silobela Miners Still Missing After Torrential Rains

Seven artisanal miners remain trapped underground in Silobela since Tuesday after a mine shaft collapsed during heavy rains — rescue teams are battling rising floodwaters as hope of survival fades.

The miners were working inside the shaft when the ground gave way, following a downpour that flooded the tunnels and caused the structure to collapse. 

The incident occurred in Midlands Province, leaving the men buried beneath unstable debris and waterlogged passages.

Provincial mining director Engineer Khumbulani Mlangeni said search and retrieval teams were still working at the site. 

“Efforts are ongoing as of early this (Friday) morning, but the rains are hampering progress,” he said.

Rescue operations have been complicated by continuous rainfall, which has flooded the shaft and slowed pumping efforts. 

Teams from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and local miners have been working around the clock to drain water and stabilize the site.

Mrs Sithokozike Moyo, chairperson of the Silobela Small Scale Miners Association, described the situation as dire.

“A syndicate of seven artisanal miners was trapped inside a mine shaft on Tuesday following heavy rains. 

“Since then, rescue efforts have failed to retrieve them. 

“We have been pumping out water trying to rescue them,” she said.

According to The Chronicle, the operation has drawn concern from the local community, with relatives of the trapped miners gathering near the site, anxiously awaiting updates. 

Authorities have not yet released the names of the missing miners, pending formal identification and communication with families.

As the search enters its fourth day, pressure is mounting on emergency teams to accelerate recovery efforts.

The incident has reignited calls for improved safety protocols in small-scale mining operations, especially during the rainy season when ground conditions become unstable and rescue logistics more complex. - Zim Breaking News