Mopani Mines has suspended operations for two days following Tuesday’s mine accident that claimed the lives of two miners.
Mopani Mines Chief Executive Officer Chris Vermeulen told employees and contractors that he was suspending all underground operations from Monday afternoon at 14:00 Hours and that all miners reporting for the afternoon shift would be sent back home.
Mr Vermeulen said all employees should report for work on Wednesday at 06 Hours where they will be advised on what will follow.
He said only essential employees will be required to provide underground to undertake care and maintenance duties.
Two miners died at Mopani Copper mine in Kitwe after a blasting accident on Tuesday morning.
Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) President Joseph Chewe confirmed the accident and identified the deceased as Musomali Ackleo 42, a mine Captain and Chrispine Mwaba 29, a boomer operator.
The accident happened between 06 hours and 07 hours at SOB mine shaft after a blasting accident.
The two miners were employees of Reliant Drilling, a contractor engaged by Mopani Copper mine.
And Mr Chewe described the accident as saddening especially that three other miners died at Mopani Copper mine barely a month ago.
The MUZ President has since called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
I have never heard of a mine negligent boss being convicted by the courts of law; why? This practice by our courts to treat all mine fatalities as “mine accidents” is wrong.
Contractors sometimes push too much.
Not following the blasting schedule because of too much pressure from some Peruvian owner of the contracted company
It should not be the mining company suspending the operations. Rather, it is Mine Safety Department which must suspend the mining licence. Mu ZED, things are done in reverse mode. Appalling!!!!!!
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN IN THE BEST OF MINES
INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE BEFORE YOU TAKE IRRATIONAL DECISJONS.
MY QUESTION IS WHAT WAS A MINE CAPTAIN DOING UNDERGROUND AT BLASTING TIME?
WHERE WERE HIS SECTION AND SHIFT BOSSRD?
The mine captain was (under pressure) working as a helper to the boomer operator, drilling an end directly opposite to another end which was already charged. Can you imagine