Public broadcaster Radio Mozambique reported the accident on Wednesday – two days after it happened.

The head of the mine, Afonso Muagara, said operations were banned during the rainy season.

“Nobody knows why they were there given that no mining activity is allowed when the rain falls,” he told Radio Mozambique

Manica province was hit by Tropical Storm Ana, which pummelled the region last week, claiming 86 lives in Mozambique, Madagascar and Malawi.