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Accidents, Injuries, and Safety among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Josephine Singo

    (Centre for International Health, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Leopoldstrasse 5, D-80802 Munich, Germany
    Devsol Consulting, Clock Tower, Kampala P.O. Box 73201, Uganda
    Exceed Institute of Safety Management and Technology, Kampala P.O. Box 72212, Uganda)

  • John Bosco Isunju

    (Disease Control and Environmental Health Department, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala P.O. Box 7072, Uganda)

  • Dingani Moyo

    (School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa
    Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Ascot, Bulawayo P.O. Box AC 939, Zimbabwe
    Faculty of Medicine, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, 263, Senga Road, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

  • Stephan Bose-O’Reilly

    (Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, D-80336 Munich, Germany
    Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard-Wallnoefer-Zentrum 1, A-6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria)

  • Nadine Steckling-Muschack

    (Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Ziemssenstr. 5, D-80336 Munich, Germany
    Department of Public Health, Health Services Research and Health Technology Assessment, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Eduard-Wallnoefer-Zentrum 1, A-6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
    Klinikum Osnabrueck GmbH, Am Finkenhuegel 1, D-49076 Osnabrueck, Germany)

  • Antony Mamuse

    (Department of Geosciences, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, 263 Senga Road, Gweru P.O. Box 9055, Zimbabwe)

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) employs 14–19 million people globally. There is limited research on accidents, injuries, and safety in Zimbabwe’s ASGM. This study investigates the prevalence of accidents and injuries, as well as the associated risks and existing safety practices. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among artisanal and small-scale gold miners. Data from 401 participants were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The prevalence of accidents and injuries was 35.0% and 25.7%. Accidents associated with experiencing injuries included mine collapses and underground trappings. The major injury risk factors were digging, blasting, being male, being 18–35 years old, crushing, and the underground transportation of workers and materials. Injuries were reported highest among the miners working 16 to 24 h per day. Participants had heard about personal protective equipment (PPE). There was training and routine inspections mainly on PPE use. Mine owners and supervisors were reported as responsible for OSH, which was mainly PPE use. Practices including the use of wire winch ropes and escape routes were rare. There was ignorance on underground mine shaft support. The mining regulations that had the potential to introduce comprehensive safety controls were not adaptable. We recommend applicable health and safety regulations for Zimbabwe’s ASGM.

Suggested Citation

  • Josephine Singo & John Bosco Isunju & Dingani Moyo & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Accidents, Injuries, and Safety among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8663-:d:864227
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Spiegel, Samuel J., 2009. "Resource policies and small-scale gold mining in Zimbabwe," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(1-2), pages 39-44.
    2. Rachel N. Long & Kan Sun & Richard L. Neitzel, 2015. "Injury Risk Factors in a Small-Scale Gold Mining Community in Ghana’s Upper East Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Grasian Mkodzongi & Samuel Spiegel, 2019. "Artisanal Gold Mining and Farming: Livelihood Linkages and Labour Dynamics after Land Reforms in Zimbabwe," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(10), pages 2145-2161, October.
    4. E. Kyeremateng-Amoah & Edith E. Clarke, 2015. "Injuries among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-11, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuxin Bai & Jiang Shao & Ying Zhang & Lulu Chen & Xijie Zhao & Fangyuan Tian & Chengqi Xue, 2022. "ERP Study of Mine Management System Warning Interface under Fatigue," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Josephine Singo & Dingani Moyo & John Bosco Isunju & Stephan Bose-O’Reilly & Nadine Steckling-Muschack & Jana Becker & Antony Mamuse, 2022. "Health and Safety Risk Mitigation among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-24, November.

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