A mining tragedy in Shurugwi has claimed the lives of four artisanal miners who were trapped when a disused shaft collapsed at Chengxi Gold Mine on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Police confirmed the incident, saying the men had been illegally prospecting for gold when the unstable ground gave way. Rescue teams later retrieved the bodies, which were transported to Gweru Provincial Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said: “The ZRP confirms a mine accident which occurred at Chengxi Gold Mine, Shurugwi, on 04/09/25 where four artisanal miners died. The victims, who were prospecting for gold in a disused mineshaft, got trapped after the mineshaft collapsed.”
The latest accident has once again drawn attention to the perilous conditions under which thousands of artisanal miners, often referred to locally as makorokoza, operate in Zimbabwe. Despite repeated warnings about the risks of entering disused or unregulated shafts, desperate economic circumstances continue to drive many into such hazardous sites.
Fatal Collapse Hits Shurugwi Artisanal Miners
Shurugwi, a mineral-rich district in the Midlands Province, has long been a hotspot for artisanal mining activities. While the area has several licensed operators, disused mines and abandoned shafts attract large numbers of fortune seekers hoping to strike gold. Tragically, these same sites have become death traps, with frequent reports of cave-ins, suffocation, or drowning underground.
Local residents who gathered at Chengxi Gold Mine after news of the collapse described a grim scene as rescue efforts unfolded. Although miners in nearby pits initially rushed to try and dig out their trapped colleagues, the unstable ground and lack of proper equipment made it impossible for them to reach the victims in time.
One villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We heard a loud rumble and saw dust rising from the shaft area. Some miners shouted that people were trapped underground, but by then it was too late. This is not the first time we are seeing this happen here.”
The police appealed to communities to avoid venturing into unsafe mines, stressing that illegal mining not only exposes individuals to life-threatening risks but also hampers rescue efforts when accidents occur.
However, civil society groups argue that the recurring tragedies reflect deeper economic and policy challenges. With formal employment opportunities scarce, many Zimbabweans have turned to artisanal mining as a survival strategy. While the government has taken steps to formalise and regulate small-scale mining, critics say more needs to be done to provide training, safety oversight, and alternative livelihoods.
A representative of a local miners’ association told reporters that while the deceased miners had been working illegally, their deaths should serve as a reminder of the urgent need for structured artisanal mining policies. “We cannot keep losing lives like this. People are mining because they are hungry and unemployed. Instead of just criminalising them, we need frameworks that ensure safety, accountability, and support for small-scale miners,” he said.
Shurugwi is not alone in grappling with deadly mining accidents. Similar incidents have been recorded in Kadoma, Mazowe, and Bindura, where disused shafts have caved in on artisanal miners. In February 2019, a disaster at Battlefields in Kadoma claimed at least 24 lives when heavy rains flooded several shafts, leaving miners trapped underground.
These recurring tragedies underscore the precarious conditions under which Zimbabwe’s artisanal mining sector operates. While the sector contributes significantly to the country’s gold output and foreign currency earnings, much of the work takes place outside formal regulation, leaving miners exposed to unsafe environments and vulnerable to exploitation.
Mining experts say preventing future tragedies requires a multifaceted approach: sealing off abandoned shafts, providing safer alternatives for artisanal miners, and enforcing safety standards in small-scale operations. Others recommend expanding government-backed mining cooperatives that can equip and train miners while ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
Environmentalists also warn that unregulated artisanal mining is leaving a trail of destruction—deforestation, river siltation, and land degradation—further threatening local communities that depend on agriculture.
For families of the victims, however, the immediate pain lies in the sudden loss of loved ones. At Gweru Provincial Hospital, grieving relatives gathered to identify the bodies, many struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Some said their relatives had left home in search of a better life but returned in coffins.
As funerals are planned, the community in Shurugwi remains in shock, mourning the four men who lost their lives underground. Their names had not yet been released at the time of writing, pending notification of all families.
For many, the collapse at Chengxi Gold Mine is a grim reminder of the human cost behind Zimbabwe’s gold rush. While the nation benefits from the output of artisanal miners, the lack of safety nets and regulation means each new discovery carries with it the risk of disaster.
Until sustainable solutions are found, tragedies like the one in Shurugwi will continue to haunt mining communities, claiming lives in shafts that promise wealth but too often deliver death.
Source- zimeye
