Zambia’s copper mines have been hit by another tragedy, with eight miners lost in a landslide at an open-pit mine in Chingola. Authorities confirmed that the miners were informal workers, intrepid copper prospectors, six of whom were from the same family. This series of tragic deaths highlights the dangers faced by informal miners in a copper-rich nation like Zambia.
This sad event is unfortunately not an isolated one. Recently, ten informal miners lost their lives in a landslide in Mumbwa, and nine more died in a quarry near the capital, Lusaka, last August. These recurring accidents highlight a major safety problem in Zambia’s mining sector. Even in December last year, more than thirty miners lost their lives in another landslide in Chingola.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema recently expressed his outrage at this series of preventable tragedies. He rightly pointed out that the number of deaths among miners was unacceptable and called for serious measures to improve safety conditions in the country’s mines.
These incidents highlight the need for stricter regulation and better safety practices in the mining sector in Zambia. Informal workers risk their lives to support themselves and their families, and it is imperative that measures are taken to protect their safety and well-being.
In conclusion, these recent tragedies in Zambia’s copper mines highlight the urgent need for reforms and concrete measures to ensure worker safety in the mining sector. It is crucial that the authorities take immediate action to prevent further unnecessary loss of life and to ensure safe and dignified working conditions for all those who contribute to Zambia’s mining industry.