A ground subsidence incident at the Msasa Gold Mine in Bukombe District, Geita Region, caused concern on Sunday morning but authorities confirmed that no injuries or deaths were reported.
Officials from the Resident Mines Office in Mbogwe said the incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. on March 29, 2026, in Area A of the mine.
The collapse affected four mining pits numbered 46A, 47A, 48A and 49A.
According to preliminary information from the Mining Commission, the pits had already been identified by mine inspectors as areas requiring safety maintenance.
Production activities in the section had been suspended earlier to allow for planned repairs and reinforcement work.
Authorities said this precautionary decision played a crucial role in preventing casualties, as all workers had been evacuated from the area before the ground gave way.
Initial findings suggest that the collapse was triggered by heavy rains currently affecting parts of Geita Region.
The rains are believed to have weakened soil layers and rock formations around the pits, leading to instability and eventual ground subsidence.
Following the incident, inspectors quickly secured the area while emergency teams, including the Fire and Rescue Force and the Police, were deployed to the site to support safety operations and ensure no one was trapped underground.
A safety perimeter has now been established around the affected area and all mining activities in the section have been suspended as authorities conduct a detailed technical inspection to assess the extent of the damage and determine further safety measures.
The Msasa Gold Mine is jointly owned by Khadija Mkopi Mohamed, Amani Jackonia Mkaga, Boaz Lucas Nkise and Fadhili Victor Malema.
The operation holds 17 mining licences and is one of the important mining activities in the area.
The mine directly employs about 2,000 workers while supporting more than 20,000 people through related services such as transport, food supply and other small businesses linked to mining activities.
Mining authorities have meanwhile urged miners across the country to remain cautious during the rainy season.
They emphasized the need for operators to strictly follow safety standards and to immediately report any signs of ground instability to mining inspectors to allow timely intervention and prevent accidents.
