At least five miners have been rescued after 25 workers were trapped when the ground caved in at Nyandolwa Mine in Shinyanga District on August 11, 2025. Authorities confirmed that two of the rescued miners have died, while three survived.
Shinyanga District Commissioner, Mr. Julius Mtatiro, said the accident occurred at Mwongozo Village, Mwenge Ward, within a licensed mining site operated by the Wachapakazi Group. The miners had been repairing three separate shafts when the collapse happened.
“Out of the five who have been rescued, one died while receiving treatment, another was retrieved already dead, and three were pulled out alive. The rescue operation continues for those still trapped,” Mr. Mtatiro said.
He conveyed condolences to the affected families and assured that the government will continue to support and monitor the operation until all miners are accounted for.
Assistant Commissioner for Small-Scale Mining Development, Eng. Moses Kongola, commended the Fire and Rescue Force and Barrick Bulyanhulu Mining Company for their assistance, while stressing the importance of safety for all rescue workers.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that workplaces comply with safety standards. We will continue to supervise this with utmost commitment,” he said.
Rescue teams have requested additional modern equipment such as gloves, dust masks, reflectors and other protective gear to improve both safety and efficiency in the operation.
Chief Mines Inspector, Eng. Khamisi Kamando, said the government remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the rescue efforts succeed and to strengthen safety standards in small-scale mining across the country.