MELODY MUPETA
Kitwe
TWO Reliant mine employees contracted to work at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) SOB shaft in Kitwe have had their bodies cut into pieces after being involved in an underground mine accident.
Josiah Silomba, 42, and Justin Mutaba, 50, both of Wusakile Township, died on Tuesday around 17:45 hours.
Both Copperbelt Province police commanding officer Mwala Yuyi and MCM public relations manager Nebert Mulenga confirmed the accident.
Mr Yuyi said the mishap was reported to police by MCM chief security officer Mukunda Miktaza.
He said on the fateful day around 06:00 hours, three Reliant employees reported for work at the shaft, which is 3,760 feet level.
Whilst underground, the person in charge went to test the blasting cable, which was followed by a bang.
“When the night shift employees reported for work, they found a hard hat, gumboots and bloodstains on the wall and the ground,” he said.
Mr Yuyi said the rescue team retrieved the bodies, of which one was found cut into several pieces while the other was cut into two.
The bodies are in the Kitwe Teaching Hospital mortuary awaiting post-mortem as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.
And Dr Mulenga said all operations at SOB shaft have been suspended until further notice.
“We are working with the Mines Safety Department and other relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the accident,” he said.
Dr Mulenga said MCM management regrets the loss of the two lives and will ensure that it provides the necessary support to the bereaved families.
The last accident at SOB shaft was in March 2022 when one of the skips from the headgear moved underground and killed one miner.
Meanwhile, the Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) has described the incident as tragic and painful for the mining fraternity.
MUZ coordinator and public relations officer Michael Kaluba urged contractors operating at MCM to review and strengthen their safety systems and ensure compliance with prescribed safety standards.
“We challenge all mining firms to thoroughly check their safety procedures and adhere to safety standards required by law,” Mr Kaluba said.
He also called on stakeholders in the mining sector to recommit themselves to prevention of accidents.
Mr Kaluba said MUZ remains committed to engaging mining companies and regulators to guarantee safer working environments and prevent such accidents in future…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
