Hi-tech mining to stop deaths, says governor

Gold mining in Migori County. PHOTO/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• Mr Mwita said they planned to do away with the fossil fuel machines, used to pump water out of mines and lighting.

Safety measures, including use of technology, are to put in place to avert deaths in Migori gold mines.

County deputy Governor Nelson Mwita yesterday said they intended to modernise mining methods besides educating miners on their safety.

Mr Mwita said they had identified appropriate technologies and experts to train residents on ways of extracting the mineral without putting their lives at risk.

Dozens of people have died in the mines this year. Some were buried alive after mines caved in while others suffocated after inhaling carbon monoxide emitted by generators.

Mr Mwita said they planned to do away with the fossil fuel machines, used to pump water out of mines and lighting.

“Fuel generators in the mines will be discarded and replaced with electric ones that do not emit carbon monoxide,’’ he said.

Two miners were buried alive after the walls Ositi gold mine in Nyatike constituency caved in.

Their bodies had not been retrieved by yesterday as the mine is submerged following heavy rains pounding the region.

Migori deputy County Commissioner Moses Ivuto said rescue teams were using generators to pump out the water to get the bodies out.

Two months ago, three people died after inhaling carbon monoxide at Arombo gold mine in Suna West constituency. Another three died in a bid to rescue their colleagues.

Miner Lawrence Owino welcomed the new plans and urged the leaders to provide them with protective gear and modern machines.