A day after a tragic mining collapse claimed three lives of three family members in Idahina ward of Kahama District, Shinyanga Region, community members and local leaders have demanded urgent action to address long-standing safety issues in small-scale mining.

Grief and growing frustration were taking hold as the victims—Enock Charles (31), Maneno Charles (27) and Jacob Tarima (25)—were laid to rest in emotionally charged ceremonies in their respective hamlets as residents gathered to mourn their loss and voice concerns over the risks faced daily by artisanal miners.

“They died trying to earn a living. This could have been prevented,” said Zainabu Tarima, a close relative of two of the deceased. “We’ve lost breadwinners, brothers and sons. How many more lives must be lost before this changes?”

Survivors of the collapse, which occurred at mine site number six in Mwabomba area on Thursday, recounted harrowing moments as the earth caved in around them. One of the two rescued miners, wishing not to be named, said they had noticed cracks forming in the mine shaft hours before the collapse. 

“We raised concern but no one took it seriously,” he said, citing  pressure to keep working even when it’s unsafe., while regional mining officer Ally Ramadhani said preliminary investigations indicate that the mine’s structural integrity was compromised by recent heavy rains.

They saturated the soil and made the pit walls unstable, he said, confirming that safety training had been provided to mining cooperatives in the area earlier this year.

He stressed pausing operations during extreme weather, noting all the same that enforcement remains a challenge in informal mining zones.

Local officials are now calling on the central government to strengthen oversight and consider mandatory weather-related shutdowns for small-scale mines, with Idahina ward Councillor Mathias Makashi saying regulatory reforms are overdue.

 “It’s not enough to train miners if there’s no system to ensure compliance,” he said, demanding legislation that empowers authorities to enforce safety closures and hold mine operators accountable in case of non-compliance.

Community leaders are organizing a public forum next week to discuss safety measures and appeal for improved mining practices in the district, with residents hoping that the deaths of Enock, Maneno and Jacob will serve as a wake-up call—not just for local authorities, but for the nation.

 “We must honour their memory by making sure no more lives are lost in the same way,” the local leader emphasised.