via Normalcy returning at Zimplats after mine collapse July 24, 2014 by Phyllis Mbanje
PLATINUM mining giant, Zimplats, yesterday said there have been no reports of further movement at its Bimha Mine in Ngezi which last week collapsed plunging production of the affected section by 50%.
The affected mine area has since been sealed off to pave way for further investigations.
The collapse, which was set off by the accelerated deterioration of ground conditions associated with a major shear, the Mutambara Shear, had been anticipated and was being monitored since 2011.
A tour of the affected areas on Wednesday revealed that work was still being done around the area which has, however, been barricaded until further tests have been conducted by a team of company experts supported by international senior experts and consultants.
Addressing journalists during the tour, head of corporate affairs Busi Chindove said the situation was under control and that the evacuated mine workers have since been moved to Ngwarati and Rukodzi mines.
“In terms of production, it will be compensated at the two mines which have absorbed the workforce that was in the affected area,” she said.
Chindove, however, clarified that the 50% (45 000 ounces of platinum) of production that had been affected was only limited to Bimha and not Zimplats as a whole.
The general manager for mining, Simbarashe Goto said the advanced ground-monitoring system had saved the day as it was able to pick on movements.
“We have over 40 monitoring centres and the equipment used is able to pick up the tiniest of movement. So since 2011 we knew that this would happen and we were prepared for it,” he said.
Although the areas affected have been cordoned off, work was still being carried out and there were plans to mine around the slump.
“We will, in the next 15 months be working on declines around the collapsed area and a further 50 months to reconnect to current declines,” he said.
Goto said the collapse was not really a major loss since they had exhausted the ore in that area.
Zimplats has so far spent over $6 million on ensuring stability and employee safety.
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