2 killed in Botswana copper mine collapse

Botswana mining company Bamangwato Concessions Limited (BCL) confirmed Tuesday it is investigating a case of mine collapse in central Botswana, where two miners died and one was missing.

A shaft at the company's copper-nickel mine located in the mining town Selebi-Phikwe, approximately 410 kilometers from the capital city Gaborone, collapsed on Saturday afternoon, said a statement by the company, adding that a rescue team discovered two bodies that were pronounced dead by doctors on Monday afternoon while a third employee remains missing.

The shaft where the bodies were recovered has been closed until the matter has been resolved. A specialized rescue and recovery team was immediately dispatched to go searching for the miners after collapse, immediate family members of the affected employees have been notified about the incident, said the statement.

In February, two died and four were injured following an explosion at the underground operation at a shaft of the mine. Endit