Courts

MBABANE – An inspection report has established that Mpaka Colliery Mine is unsafe for underground operations.

The Inspection Report on the Safety of Accessing the Mpaka Colliery Mine was filed in the High Court and it alleges severe and continued safety deficiencies that render the mine unsafe for underground operations. The report was submitted by Jeffrey Jele, the Mine Manager of Mpaka Colliery, in compliance with a consent order issued by Judge Mumcy Dlamini on October 22, 2025.

In this matter, Pinnacoal Holdings Director Le Zheng alleged obstruction by Kwasa Colliery (Proprietary) Limited and L.C.E Investments (Proprietary) Limited, acting through their joint director, Mlungisi Dlamini, from entering the shaft to assess and make it safe, which is necessary to employ around 100 people. She alleged that the obstruction was perpetuated on October 17, 2025, with further denial of access on October 18 and 19, 2025.

The report details multiple inspections conducted by the mine manager since his appointment on or about August 14, 2025, with the most recent being on October 27, 2025. On every inspection, in August, on October 10, 2025 and on October 27, 2025, the mine was found to be unsafe, leading to the suspension of all underground activities, according to the report.

Jele confirmed that as of his October 27, 2025 inspection, the critical deficiencies previously identified had allegedly not been addressed. He stated in the report that the mine remains closed to underground access until all requirements are fully met and certified safe by the technical team.

He stated that the mine lacks a lamp room, which is required under Regulations 83-89 of the Safety Regulations. This facility is crucial for controlling access to underground workings and ensuring every person is issued a cap lamp, a rescue pack and a gas detection instrument (GDI).  According to Jele, ‘as Mpaka Colliery is a fiery mine, these items are mandatory for safe entry and none were provided’.

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A miner working at a mine digging in a tunnel. An Inspection Report on the Safety of Accessing the Mpaka Colliery Mine has established that Mpaka Colliery Mine is unsafe for underground operations. (File pic)