By The Respondents ReporterTanzania’s mining sector is being urged to step up safety measures ahead of forecasts of above-average rainfall between October and December, with authorities warning that flooding and mine collapses could put workers, communities and the environment at risk.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Minerals, Eng. Yahya I. Samamba, said yesterday that mine owners, managers, inspectors and small-scale miners should urgently review their safety systems and emergency plans before the rains intensify.
He said particular attention should be given to underground workings, locally known as maduara, tailings storage facilities (TSFs), drainage systems and other infrastructure vulnerable to heavy rainfall.
“Mine owners, managers and inspectors should improve safety procedures to reflect heavy rainfall conditions, increase inspections of mining areas and tailings storage facilities, and ensure every mine has a clear and workable emergency plan,” Eng. Samamba said.
He was speaking in Kahama, Shinyanga Region, where he opened training for small-scale miners on measures to reduce the impact of heavy rains.
The warning comes after weather information from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) indicated the possibility of above-normal rainfall during the October-December period.
Eng. Samamba said heavy rains could disrupt mining operations and cause loss of life, environmental damage and destruction of infrastructure if preventive measures were not taken in advance.
He listed the main risks as collapsing underground workings and mine walls, flooding, weakened rock-support structures and overflowing or damaged tailings storage facilities.
The risks could extend beyond mine sites, he said, as contaminated water and poorly managed waste could affect surrounding communities, livestock, vegetation and other ecosystems.
Eng. Samamba directed mining operators to ensure workers do not enter or remain underground during heavy rainfall or immediately afterwards if the site has not been declared safe.
He ordered daily inspections of underground workings before operations begin, with weak sections strengthened using suitable timber or steel supports.
Drainage channels around mine entrances and working areas should also be constructed and kept clear to prevent surface water from entering mines.
“Every mine should have water pumps and sufficient fuel to enable a rapid response when water accumulates in mining pits,” he said.
On tailings storage facilities, Eng. Samamba said operators must ensure the structures have sufficient capacity and strength to withstand increased water levels during the rainy season.
He directed operators to regularly check dam walls, drainage systems and water levels, while monitoring for leakage and erosion.
Eng. Samamba also ordered mining operators to maintain practical emergency plans covering warning systems, rescue operations, suspension of activities and communication with authorities.
He said blasting operations must follow established safety procedures, including ensuring all workers and other people leave the danger zone and reach a safe distance before explosives are detonated.
Workers should only return after the required waiting period and confirmation that the area is safe.
He also called for proper management of work shifts to reduce fatigue, which can increase the likelihood of accidents.
Regional Resident Mining Officers were directed to supervise implementation of the measures and enforce the Mining (Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Protection) Regulations, 2010.
Inspections of tailings facilities, waste-rock storage areas and other critical mine infrastructure should also be intensified before and during the rainy season, he said.
The call for greater preparedness comes as small-scale miners say inadequate emergency equipment remains a challenge in some mining areas.
Chairman of the Tanzania Association of Mine Inspectors, Shija Mussa, said miners often face flooding of pits during operations.
He called for Government support to make heavy-duty water pumps and other emergency equipment available at strategic locations so they can be deployed quickly when flooding occurs.
The equipment, he said, would help reduce delays in responding to emergencies and protect workers and mining investments.
Earlier, Minerals Commission Director of Licensing, Eng. Aziza Swedi, said the training was intended to give small-scale miners practical knowledge on managing risks associated with heavy rainfall.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Eng. Ramadhani Lwamo, she said the Ministry of Minerals and the Minerals Commission had acted early following the weather warning.
Experts at the training are covering mine safety, tailings storage facilities, waste-rock storage areas, flood management and emergency preparedness.
Eng. Swedi urged miners to apply the training at their workplaces by assessing their sites, identifying vulnerable areas and correcting safety weaknesses before heavy rains expose them to greater risks.
Eng. Samamba said safety measures should not be treated as an obstacle to production, warning that accidents could instead bring mining activities to a halt, damage infrastructure, harm communities and the environment, and result in loss of life.