By Ijoo Bosco
A 17-year-old girl has died after being trapped in a collapsing gold mining pit at the Ayii mining site, raising fresh concerns over the dangers facing children engaged in artisanal mining in the area.
The incident occurred on Monday, 2nd November 2026, when the soil reportedly caved in on the teenager while she was working inside a deep mining pit.
Ayii Boma Chief, Mr. Otto Martine Leonaldo, confirmed the incident while addressing the media, saying the girl’s body was later retrieved and brought to Ayii Centre at around 9:00 AM on Wednesday before being transported to Magwi for burial.
Mr. Leonaldo used the incident to call on parents and guardians to prioritise education by enrolling school-age children in schools rather than allowing them to engage in dangerous activities to support their livelihoods.
He also warned artisanal gold miners against digging excessively deep pits in search of gold, cautioning that unstable soil can collapse without warning and result in loss of life.
The teenager’s death highlights the potentially deadly risks associated with unsafe mining practices, particularly for young people who venture into hazardous mining environments.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, the chief reported that a man who allegedly attempted to murder another individual was beaten to death during an altercation.
Mr. Leonaldo said authorities were still gathering further information about the second incident.
The chief’s appeal has renewed calls for greater community responsibility in protecting children from hazardous work and promoting access to education.