At least 25 small-scale miners are feared to be trapped underground following the collapse of a gold mine in Mwongozo Village, Mwenge Ward, in Tanzania’s Shinyanga Region on Monday, August 11.
The incident occurred during routine maintenance at a community-operated mining site owned by the Wachapa Kazi group.
According to Shinyanga District Commissioner Julius Mtatiro, the collapse affected three shafts Shaft No. 106 with 6 miners, Shaft No. 103 with 11 miners, and Shaft No. 20 with 8 miners bringing the total number of miners feared trapped to 25.
Rescue operations are currently underway, led by the Shinyanga District Defense and Security Committee in collaboration with the Fire and Rescue Force and local miners.
Authorities say the ground gave way unexpectedly as repair works were being conducted underground, burying the miners beneath large amounts of debris.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in Tanzania’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector, which, despite supporting thousands of livelihoods, often operates under hazardous and poorly regulated conditions.
Commissioner Mtatiro confirmed that rescue teams are working tirelessly and expressed hope that some of the trapped miners may still be found alive. Updates will follow as the situation develops.