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Senior Reporter
ONE person died on the spot yesterday while two others were seriously injured in a suspected underground explosion at Blanket Mine on the outskirts of Gwanda Town in Matabeleland South Province.Details of what transpired were still unclear yesterday as the mine officials could not be reached for comment.

Workers at the mine had two versions of what happened, with some saying an explosive caused the accident while a number alleged the mine flouted safety procedures.

The workers identified the injured, who were admitted to Mater-Dei Hospital in Bulawayo, as John and Maxwell and the deceased as Elvis.
“Three miners were working on a raised platform drilling holes for explosives on a stone wall, at about 1 am. An explosive that had not detonated during recent blasting then exploded.

They were plunged more than 12 metres down the mine pit. Instead of calling emergency rescue teams as is normal, the general manager, Mr Caxton Mangezi, assembled a team of workers and retrieved the miners. One of them was already dead. We suspect that the rescue team was not called so as to cover up the incident because it is bad publicity for the mine,” said one of the workers.

Another group of workers said there was no explosion.
“The pillars supporting the platform simply collapsed. There were supposed to be safety chains that should have kept the miners suspended in case of a collapse. The mine simply failed to follow standard safety procedures,” said a worker.

Chronicle paid a visit to the injured miners at Mater-Dei Hospital.
However, they were both said to be  asleep.

One had his head heavily bandaged; his face and hands, also in bandages were swollen. He had sutures above his left eye.
They both had intravenous drips.

Police spokesperson for Matabeleland South, Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya could neither confirm nor deny the incident saying he was awaiting official documentation regarding the issue.

Efforts to contact Blanket Mine safety manager Mr Patrick Hill were unsuccessfull as he was said to be underground.
The general manager, Mr Mangezi, was first said to be on another line, before this reporter was told he was too busy to talk, after holding for him for more than five minutes.

“The GM has gone underground. He is too busy dealing with the incident that occurred today to talk to you. Call on another day,” said the person who answered the phone.

Despite being told that the story was due for publication, the person maintained Mr Mangezi was not reachable.
He ended up taking this reporter’s cellphone number and promising to give it to Mr Mangezi as soon as he became available.

He had not called by the time of going to Press.
The mine was acquired by Caledonia Mining Corporation in 2006.

According to recent business reports, the mine is expected to exceed its targeted annual gold output by 10 percent this year.
Management at the mine believes about 44 000 ounces of gold will be produced this year against the previously projected 40 000.