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Cde Cain Mathema

Fairness Moyana Hwange Correspondent
HWANGE Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) yesterday marked the 44th anniversary of the Kamandama Underground mine disaster which claimed the lives of 427 miners.

Addressing people gathered for the commemorations at the disaster site, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Cain Mathema, urged companies not to compromise on mining safety regulations despite the economic challenges.

He said the tragedy was one of the worst in the world and remains a painful reminder on the need to prioritise the safety of workers.

“This day where 427 gallant sons lost their lives continues to be a sad reminder as to the importance of safety at the workplace. This event comes at a time when government continues to put emphasis on industrial safety and health through the consolidation of mining safety regulations. I’m aware that despite the global challenging economic conditions, HCCL has continued to put more emphasis on the safety of its workers which I feel is very commendable. However, let me reiterate that safety of workers should not be confined to the Colliery but all individuals and organisations,” said the Minister.

He urged workers to be resilient and support the company’s turnaround initiatives.

Cde Mathema said there was still hope for HCCL, one of the major economic drivers in the mining industry as evidenced by the government’s interventions such as the granting of new concession areas and equipment.

“Let me hasten to assure you that government through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will continue to play a major role in ensuring that HCCL continues to be the leading coal and coke producer despite the emergence of new players in the industry. It is my sincere hope that the Colliery will not simply die a natural death with you around so let’s work together and support turnaround initiatives.

“The granting of additional concession areas in the western part and Lubimbi is a positive development as the life of the mine has been extended by 50 years,” he said.

On June 6, 1972, a methane gas explosion ripped through the Kamandama Underground mine shaft trapping and subsequently killing 427 workers on duty on that fateful day.

Rescue efforts by both local and international missions failed to save the trapped workers and a painful decision was made to seal off the entrance to avoid poisonous fumes from escaping from the mine shaft. A total of 391 black workers from various countries especially from Southern Africa and 36 whites were among the dead.

Meanwhile, the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe (AMWUZ) has reiterated calls for government to declare June 6 a national holiday in commemoration of the mine disaster, one of the world’s biggest.

AMWUZ Matabeleland North regional chairperson, Luka Katako, said the day needed to be declared a national holiday to raise safety consciousness across all sectors.

“We appreciate what the company and government are doing in enforcing high safety standards in the mining industry. We will, however, continue to implore government to declare the 6th of June “Safety and Health” holiday. We believe that such a move will go a long way in heightening safety consciousness not only in the mining industry but across sectors,” he said.