Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
ONE miner was rescued alive after spending eight days trapped underground following a shaft collapse at Guernsey Gold Mine in Goromonzi, while his colleague died during the rescue operation.
The rescue mission ended this Friday after emergency teams battled unstable ground conditions and heavy rains to reach the trapped miners.
Survivor Pardon Ruvengo was pulled out alive from the collapsed shaft and is receiving medical treatment following the traumatic ordeal.
Rescue team members said both miners had initially been found alive underground before one later succumbed.
“We worked very hard to rescue the two. Both miners were alive this morning, and we spoke to them underground. We think the other one was affected by too much air and died when the shaft was opened,” rescue team member Mr Beura Chachaya said.
Another rescuer, Mr John Murire said the miners were trapped about 35 metres underground.
“When I successfully got to the section of the shaft, there was one who was alive. The second one was already dead. The shaft is almost 35 metres down. The one who died was injured, and I think that contributed to his death,” he said.
Mine Manager Mr Tichaona Karimanzira said rescue efforts had been hampered by unstable ground and bad weather.
“We started the rescue mission last Friday, but the ground was not stable. We were assisted by partners to rescue the two. Yesterday there was rain, and we temporarily stopped operations. Around 6am this morning, we heard one of the two calling for assistance. It was unfortunate that only one made it,” he said.
The rescue operation drew support from local mining companies and community members, who described mixed emotions following the outcome.
“My father and Innocent’s father were brothers. Despite one of the two failing to survive, I think there was a great effort to rescue them,” Mr Issac Mapanda Mhere said.
A community member added: “We thank the companies that helped to rescue the two, including small-scale mining companies. At least one of them survived.”
