Maravi

Number of accidents at Mopani worries Mufulira DC

Number of accidents at Mopani worries Mufulira DC
By Zumani Katasefa
Sunday March 16, 2008 [03:00]

MUFULIRA district commissioner Dyford Mulwa has complained about the number of mine accidents at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM). “As government we are worried with the number of mine accidents involving miners at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM),”he said. Commenting on the death of a miner who died in a mine accident that occurred at shaft number seven about 1173 metres underground three days ago, Mulwa said there was need to seriously investigate how the accidents were happening.

Mulwa said the miner died after falling into the pit whilst working between 02 and 03:00 hours.

“The investors are more concerned about production than the safety of their workers. This is very worrying,” he said.

Mulwa said the deceased miner was buried on Saturday and named him as Joseph Chirwa.

“This is the first fatal accident we have recorded this year, although last year we had a number of similar accidents,” he said.

Mulwa who was among mourners who attended the burial of the deceased miner said he was also intending to meet MCM management over a number of issues besides the accidents.

And the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) Roan branch has urged the government to halt the removal of the mine winders from Luanshya’s 14, 18 and 28 shafts.

Newly-elected chairman Peter Mwiimbe said workers and residents of Luanshya were concerned about the wanton removal of the infrastructure and had expressed fear that the mines would never get back to life.

“This is very bad, we do not support the removal of the winders,” said Mwiimbe.
Mines minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa could not comment on the matter saying that he was not aware about it as he was outside the country.

A few days ago Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) chief operations officer James Bethel said the government was aware of the removal of the winders by LCM.

Labels: MCM, MOPANI, SAFETY

posted by MrK @ 4:01 AM