Mazowe Mine Disaster: Rescue Operation Underway For Trapped Artisanal Miners
A shaft collapse at Mamini, Umsasa Farm in Mazowe has left five artisanal miners trapped underground, triggering a high-stakes rescue operation and renewed scrutiny over safety in Zimbabwe’s informal mining sector.
The miners were working inside a 20-metre-deep shaft when it suddenly gave way, leaving emergency crews battling unstable ground conditions to reach them.
In a statement shared on their official Twitter account, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident and the deployment of rescuers.
“The ZRP confirms a mine accident which occurred at Mamini, Umsasa Farm, Mazowe on 28/09/25, where five artisanal miners were trapped after a 20m deep shaft in which they were mining collapsed.
“Rescuing teams are currently on the ground. More details will be released in due course,” read the post.
The condition of the trapped miners remains unknown, and their identities have not yet been released.
The collapse has reignited concerns over the safety of artisanal mining operations, which often lack formal oversight, structural reinforcements, and emergency protocols.
Authorities say investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway, and updates will be provided as the rescue mission progresses.
