Chimoio (Mozambique), 6 Apr (AIM) –At least nine people died and three others were injured in the collapse of an illegal gold mine in Vanduzi district, in the central Mozambican province of Manica.
The tragedy took place on Sunday in a notorious mining region known as “Seis Carros” (”Six cars”).
Speaking to reporters, the Manica provincial governor, Francisca Tomás, confirmed the tragedy.
“I confirm the death of nine people. Three others are injured”, she said. “Seven people died at the scene and five others were injured. Of the five injured, four were taken to the hospital, of whom two lost their lives.”
The governor called for sustainable and safe mining to prevent accidents that result in the loss of human lives.
” Tragedies of this nature have been recurrent, especially during the rainy season, when the soil becomes unstable and prone to landslides. We have been mobilizing the artisanal miners to take all precautions to avoid deaths”, she said.
The “Seis Carros” mining region has become one of the largest centres of attraction for gold miners in Manica. It is estimated that more than ten thousand people, both Mozambicans and foreigners, are seeking gold there, despite the risks.
Men and women of various ages crowd the site daily, including, in some cases, state employees who temporarily leave their jobs in search of quick income through mining.
In addition to mining, various commercial activities are developed on site, mostly conducted by young people, creating a parallel economy that has been growing outside of the control of the authorities.
The disaster at the “Seis Carros” mine is not an isolated case. Manica has a history of accidents in artisanal mines, many of them associated with landslides during the rainy season.
(AIM)
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