2 Mopani miners blasted to death

By JOHN SAKALA
Two miners at Mopani Copper Mines have died in a mine accident following unprocedural blasting exercise.

Last month, three employees at the same mine died as a result of poor mine safety. The Three miners at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) Mindola Shaft underground were suffocated to death.

Both Copperbelt Police Chief Charity Katanga and Mineworkers Union of Zambia General Secretary George Mumba have confirmed the death of the duo to The Independent Observer in an interview.

Mr Mumba said the accident happened in the early hours of today between 06:00 and 07:00 hours at Mopani South Ore Body at 3510 feet level and access 1106 during blasting exercise at Nkana mine.

He identified the duo as employees of Reliant Mining Ltd contracted by Mopani Copper Mines.

And Ms Katanga named the duo as Crispin Mwamba 29, a Boom Operator of H57 and Ackleo Musumali 42, a Mine Captain of K17, all of Chamboli Township in Kitwe.

She said the duo died after sustaining deep cuts in the chest and head following a mine blasting exercise.

“The bodies have been picked and put in Wusakile Mine Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem and an inquiry file has been opened,” she said.