afrol News, 31 March - At least 20 mineworkers are feared dead while a dozen more are reported missing after the walls of a mine collapsed in Tanzania's small goldmine in the northwest of the country.

The wall collapse is reported to have followed floods resulting from heavy rains in the country, though officials refrained from linking the floods with the disaster.

Tanzania, which is Africa's third largest gold producer, behind South Africa and Ghana, is however reported to have had several such accidents in its small-scale mining, mainly due to poor work safety standards and reckless and improper use of dynamites.

Officials have said efforts were still being mounted to rescue those believed trapped in the pit, with rocks and mud said to have blocked passage-ways and making it difficult for rescue workers.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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