President Hakainde Hichilema has assured the nation that the government will persist in the ongoing efforts to retrieve the remaining trapped miners at Sensele Open Pit Mine in Chingola. However, he emphasized that areas with potential risks would be assessed with utmost care to ensure the safety of rescue operations.
Addressing the public during the Mass burial for nine of the Sensele Mine accident victims at Chingola Town cemetery, President Hichilema expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident. Describing it as unfortunate, he pledged that the government would prioritize safety in mining operations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
“The government will not abandon the ongoing search to retrieve the remaining trapped miners at Sensele Open Pit Mine. We understand the gravity of the situation, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to bring this operation to a conclusion,” President Hichilema stated.
Acknowledging the challenges and risks involved in the rescue mission, the President assured the public that every effort would be made to ensure the safety of both the rescue team and the trapped miners. The tragedy at Sensele Mine has prompted a thorough review of safety protocols in mining operations across the country.
Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo expressed gratitude to the family members for their cooperation with the government during this challenging period. He acknowledged the collective effort to support and comfort one another in the face of tragedy.
Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe reiterated the government’s commitment to exhaust all possible measures to conclude the search and rescue operations. The collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the mining community, have been instrumental in the ongoing mission.
Chingola Member of Parliament Chipoka Mulenga pledged to adhere to the Presidential directive of providing an additional K10,000 to each bereaved family affected by the Sensele Mine accident. The government’s support aims to alleviate the financial burden on the affected families during this difficult time.
The mining accident in Africa has revealed the gap between the promises made by African governments and the reality on the ground. It has highlighted the urgent need for improved regulatory oversight, anti-corruption measures, and a genuine commitment to the safety and well-being of workers in the mining industry. This event serves as a wake-up call for African governments to reassess their priorities and take meaningful action to address the systemic issues that have been laid bare by this tragedy.
While these youths were doing illegal mining at the Old Nchanga pits……their MP was also doing illegal sugilite mining in Luapula. The Minister of Mines was also busy dishing out illegal mining licences. What do you expect…….disaster.
Enough. HH we cannot keep sugarcoating you all the time. You have no answer for the Copperbelt. Ba’ youth have no hope in you. You are too drunk with international praises. For what? Wake up to reality, start listening to the truth. UPND has given mining licenses more than what MMD & PF gave combined, your to buddies who just want to run shady mines. These youths are risking their lives due to desperation to feed their stomachs. My father was Superintendent Mining Engineer who worked for ZCCM in the 70 & 80’s and I grew up in Chingola. I played football at school and at club level as a reserve. I left Zambia for Europe to study Accountancy where I now reside. I know Chingola, Kalulushi, Luanshya, Ndola, Mufilira and Chililabombwe very well. What is happening in these towns is sad.
If they found gold in those graves, could they buried them in.
1) Some bodies have not been identified so which families are they going to give their share of the ten thousand kwacha.
2) Did the local administration know about this mine and what they do about it?
3) Why is nobody talking about investigating the matter?
4) It be better to sue government.. I know some dimwit will say they were intruders…a man of Luanshya was compensated by Zesco after he was electrocuted… Zesco were accused of not securing their installation..
But because of our current situation the matter will be intered together with the deceased and forgotten.
The sites must be under ZCCM IH or KCM. One of them is supposed to be responsible for securing intruders or scavengers. Its part of the Mine closure procedure. Kabuswe his permanent secretary are aware of this. They neglected their responsibility and shoould be held accountable.
MP Chipoka Mulenga is going to steal the money from the dead, so sad. He just said it.
@Daniel Chisebwe
And thats what i talk about every day…Promises vs reality on the ground…During campaigns they preach about development 24/7…..but once they’re in office its exactly the opposite…George Weah is a good example and i see similarities between HH and George Weah
Upnd psychos don’t see it that way. If the mine was closed who ever was the owner was supposed to fence it off and deploy security 24/7. It would be interesting to see what correspondence was with MSD on the closure of this site.
I can bet my last coin MSD were under pressure from politicians…. I repeat why’s nobody talking about the negligence of the mine.
UPND promised jobs to these youths. False promises which never materialised. What happened to CDF? Who the MP for the area? What did he do to uplift the lives of these young men? Where was the cooperatives so much talked about?
Cry Babies cry
Noko e cry baby.
Lived a life of scavengers neglected yet in death buried via state funeral plus 20 pin for my loved ones…by the way what has happened to VX, GX the President directed be sold…
@Blue love
Come on now….HH is just a Politician but the problem is with his praise singers…HH is a fraud and all his wealth is ill-gotten…if it was clean wealth he should have declared his assets but he knows all his money came from Privatization and corruption
Without senseless political interference, this accident could have been prevented. Politicians are destroying this country and we’re watching them. It’s time we stood up to them and said enough is enough
Just try
As the Chinese say………
” chambia too much crya crya…….in China slee hundred diya…..no crya crya …….chambia too much crya crya no worka worka…….”
Industrial accidents happen………
We learn from them to improve safety……..
And we move on………….
The show must continue
Illegalities are costly and often lead to loss of life. MTSRIP.
Now that they are dead government finds money to buy them golden caskets. Noone could pay them enough for rent in Kapisha, Chabanyama Kamitondo or Chiwempala. Anyone remember that cartoon of promotions that come at the graveyard? The boss praises the dead staffer so much and tells the mourners that he was about to be promoted-knowing fully well the guy is gone.