The Zambia Chamber of Mines has commended Mopani Copper Mines PLC and Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) for securing four out of the available 21 trophies at the just ended 14th International Mines Rescue Competition (IMRC) 2026 Zambia.
Mopani’s Mufulira Mine Rescue team won the second overall best award after Coal India Limited who were the overall winners of the IMRC 2026 Zambia, while Canada’s Glencore Kidd Mine secured third position.
The Mopani Mufulira Mine Rescue team also scooped second best positions in both the technician skills and the rope rescue skills categories while KCM was awarded third position in the first aid competition category, bringing the total number of awards won by Zambian mine rescue teams to four.
Zambia Chamber of Mines, Chief Executive Officer, Sokwani Chilembo said the awards reflect the country’s growing capacity to compete at the highest international standards in mine safety, emergency preparedness and rescue operations.
“We are very proud of the achievements of both Mopani and KCM in the 2026 IMRC Zambia. It’s a major milestone for our country and indeed our mining industry as it is the first time that an African mine rescue team has emerged second overall best in the history of the competition.
It’s also the first time that an African country has had two mine rescue teams winning awards in the prestigious competition,” Mr Chilembo said.
He added that the competition further highlighted the importance of preparedness, teamwork, discipline and rapid emergency response in safeguarding miners and mining communities.
Mr Chilembo stated that the Chamber is of the view that the achievement will inspire continued collaboration among mining companies, regulators and stakeholders in strengthening a strong safety culture across the sector.
“As we continue to grow the mining industry, safety and zero harm must remain central to all mining operations. Our teams’ performance at the IMRC 2026 is a reminder that mining success is not only about production, but also about protecting lives and maintaining the highest safety standards,” he added.
The competition brought together leading mine rescue teams and safety professionals from across the world, including participants from India, Canada, Australia, China, Poland, Colombia, Indonesia, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Zambia.
Zambia made history by becoming the first African country to host the IMRC since mine rescue brigades started, a 100 years ago, bringing together more than 400 foreign nationals to Zambia.
The Chamber of Mines, which is an affiliate member of the International Mines Rescue Body (IMRB), was awarded the rights to host the 2026 IMRC in September 2024 at the last IMRC held in Colombia, South America.
The IMRC 2026 Zambia was held at the Mopani Central Training Centre (MCTC) in Mufulira and FQM Kansanshi Mining in Solwezi and drew participation from 22 national mine rescue teams from across the world from 27th April to 5th May 2026.
