Rescues teams began removing miners from a platinum mine in southern Zimbabwe Tuesday following an overnight fire that forced the men to seek shelter in refuge bays. Implats Platinum and Aquarius Platinum Ltd., the companies that own the Mimosa mine in Zvishavane, said rescuers expect to bring all 75 miners to the surface by Tuesday afternoon.
"All employees have been accounted for and no injuries have been reported. The majority of the workforce was evacuated following the incident," Implats and Aquarius said in a joint statement. "Initially 75 employees were accommodated in refuge bays due to low visibility. They are now in the process of being moved to surface. This is expected to be completed during the course of the afternoon."
According to an official with the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, the fire started at a conveyer belt. The cause of the blaze remains unknown and is under investigation. All work at the mine has been temporarily halted.
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