Four Tons of Gold Ore Stolen from Zimbabwe Mine

Four tons of gold ore were stolen from a Zimbabwe mine after armed gangs staged two daring robberies, state media reported Wednesday.

The mine at Chav-Chess Farm outside Kadoma, 140 kilometers (85 miles) southwest of Harare, was robbed twice in June when armed gangs drove up in pick-up trucks, beat farm workers, and hauled away the gold, the Herald newspaper said.

"They were armed with catapults, stones machetes, axes knives, clubs and iron bars," reported the newspaper, quoting a police source.

The first incident took place on June 8, when a group of 19 armed men made off with one ton of gold ore, beating farm workers with hot iron bars. A gang of 27 armed robbers struck again on June 22, stealing three tons of gold ore, the paper said.

Mine owner Sam Munyoro confirmed the incident but declined to give details, the Herald said.

Police said they were investigating the robbery and no arrests have yet been made.