172 Mopani miners out of hospital
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 21 Mar. 2012, 11:58 CAT
THE 172 miners at Mopani Copper Mines who were admitted to hospital after an underground accident at the Mufulira Mine site have been discharged. Mineworker Union of Zambia (MUZ) acting president Charles Mukuka said all the mineworkers, including the other 30 who were reported to be in a critical condition, were by Monday afternoon discharged after being treated.
The 172 miners were rushed to hospital after inhaling dangerous fumes underground after a loader TLH 410 caught fire and exploded at the refuelling bay.
Mukuka said MUZ through its Department of Mine Safety, Health and Environment was still investigating the matter.
"Mineworkers Union of Zambia sent the director of safety Webby Mushota to investigate what caused the accident and after compiling the report, MUZ will issue its official position over the matter," Mukuka said.
Mukuka said most of the miners were placed on 24-hour observation at the hospital in accordance with the mines safety and health regulations.
Management at Mopani Copper Mines is yet to issue a statement on the accident.
Labels: LABOUR, MINING, MOPANI, SAFETY
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Employees fear for their fertility after by being subjected to infra-red searches every day
TIME PUBLISHED - Sunday, January 8, 2012, 10:15 pm
EMPLOYEES at Kansanshi Mining Plc who are involved in the production of gold fear that their fertility could be affected by the rigorous infra-red searches they are subjected to every day.
The employees, who did not want to be named, said they are worried that their reproductive systems are under threat because of the unwarranted searches which expose them to radiation.
“We are subjected to searches almost every hour. There are always fears we can steal gold from the plant, so they search us several times,” one miner said.
They complained that even when miners go to answer the call of nature, they are exposed to an infra-red search on all parts of the body.
The workers, who have appealed to Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda to look into their plight, said some categories of workers are not searched or exposed to infra-red radiation.
The gold production unit is kept sacred and no dignitaries or government officials are allowed to tour it, one worker said.
And Government will soon carry out a labour audit on companies which have hired expatriates, to reconfirm the relevance of giving expatriates certain jobs, Labour, Youth and Sport Minister Fackson Shamenda said in Solwezi at the weekend.
The audit is aimed at establishing the qualifications and jobs that expatriates hold.
Mr Shamenda, Vice-President Guy Scott, Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili and Minister of Mines Wybur Simuusa were in Solwezi to ask miners at Kansanshi Mine to return to work after a wildcat strike.
The miners complained that there is a huge gap in conditions of service between them and expatriates.
“We will verify their qualifications and check if the qualifications and skills match,” he said.
Mr Shamenda said Zambia has many qualified professionals who can take up jobs that have been given to expatriates, especially in the mining industry.
HE said his ministry will soon set up a database of workers to ensure that only qualified expatriates are allowed to work in the country.
Mr Shamenda also said there are ‘very serious’ salary disparities between management and unionised workers in most companies in the country.
“The audit will ensure that expatriates doing jobs that Zambians can do are sent away to pave way for locals,” he said.
Mr Shamenda also said the ministry of labour will engage qualified Zambians, including those in the diaspora, to take up jobs that will be left by some expatriates who are not qualified.
He also said that government will not tolerate any investors abusing Zambian workers.
Mr Shamenda also bemoaned the high levels of casualisation of labour in mining companies, saying the Ministry of Labour will review labour laws to resolve the problem.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Labels: CASUALISATION, FACKSON SHAMENDA, HEALTHCARE, KANSANSHI MINING PLC, SAFETY
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300 miners at NFC mine suffer gassing
By Mwila Chansa
Sat 30 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
ABOUT 300 miners were in the early hours of yesterday morning allegedly gassed underground at the Chinese-run NFC mine in Chambishi. But Kalulushi district commissioner Joshua Mtisa refuted reports that 300 miners were gassed, claiming that there were only 17.
National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) national secretary Goodwell Kaluba said the union was concerned about the lives of its members following the incident at the mine.
Speaking to journalists at Sinozam Friendship Hospital in Kitwe where the miners were rushed after allegedly being gassed around 02:00 hours in the morning, Kaluba said the safety standards at NFC mining in the last few months had been compromised.
“As a union, we are very afraid for the lives of workers. We will not sit by and watch this because at the end of the day, we might have another BIGRIMM,” Kaluba said.
“Safety in the last few months has been compromised because they have been having accidents and that is regrettable. There is no company that has accidents every month.”
Kaluba urged the government to work hand-in-hand with the union in ensuring safety standards at the mine were adhered to. He said if it meant suspending operations, that should be done as long as safety measures were first put in place. He explained that the gassing which is believed to have been caused by burnt cables started at level 300 underground.
“So when the miners started calling the cage tender, he failed to send the cage down for fear of being suffocated so after the miners insisted, that is when he brought the cage down," he explained.
"After taking the cage down, they decided to go to level 400 because there were more people there but they managed to get out all of them."
Kaluba said there were no serious injuries and the miners were quickly rushed to Sinozam Hospital where they were observed and discharged.
By mid-morning, nine of the miners were waiting to be observed while one was still kept for observations.
But Mtisa said only 17 people were rushed to hospital and not 300 as reported.
However, Mtisa said he had not yet had a word with management at the mine.
Labels: CHINESE, LABOUR, MINERS, NFC, SAFETY
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Lungwagwa urges road safety education in school curricula
By Namatama Mundia
Sun 24 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT
COMMUNICATIONS and transport minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has urged education institutions to actively consider incorporating road safety education in their formal and non-formal curriculum.
Launching the revised Zambian Highway Code in Lusaka on Friday, Prof Lungwangwa said the change in the behavior of all road users, drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike required mass education in road safety.
He urged schools to establish road safety clubs just like there are HIV-AIDS clubs in schools. He said road users should acquire a copy of the fifth edition of the Highway Code and put the contents to good use at all times.
Prof Lungwangwa urged media houses especially radio and television to give attention to road safety public education programmes in their broadcasts.
He directed the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) to ensure that road traffic law enforcement was enhanced throughout the country especially on the highway, to complement road safety education.
“Road traffic patrols on our major highways should be undertaken 24 hours a day,” Prof Lungwangwa said.
He said the cost of road accidents in low income countries such as Zambia was estimated to be one per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Road accidents have a negative effect on our economic growth and development efforts,” Prof Lungwangwa said.
“In this regard, government will always ensure that enhancing road safety in Zambia remains a top priority as the benefits of our efforts far outweigh the associated costs incurred when road traffic accidents occur.”
He said the implementation of new and more stringent traffic laws such as speed limits or the vehicle seat belt wearing law, costly as it may seem, was meant to protect the lives and should therefore be proactively encouraged by all citizens.
“Making road safety a priority means placing a higher value on life and preserving that life and public property because road accidents can happen to anyone of us at any time. Road safety must be a subject of major concern by all of us,” Prof Lungwangwa said.
And RTSA director Frederick Mwalusaka said the increased motorisation in the country had not been cross-matched with a corresponding increase in road transport infrastructure development and the result was the increase in conflict between the various modes of traffic that was seen today.
“Roads as a public commodity are thus becoming scarce and calls for rationalisation of the resource by all road users,” he said.
“The baseline figure for motor vehicle population in Zambia in December 2006 was 183,000 motor vehicles which today according to statistics held on the Zambia Transport Information System (ZAMTIS) is well over 307,000 motor vehicles excluding government-owned vehicles as of December 2009.”
Mwalusaka said despite the increase in motorisation, the country had faired quite well in reducing the fatality rate from 65 per 10,000 vehicles in 2006 to 48 fatalities per 10,000 vehicles in 2008.
He said RTSA considered the launch of the Highway Code as another milestone achieved and a timely intervention that should help road users to learn to share the road space equitably and in a safe manner.
RTSA board chairman Winstone Mwandila said the transportation of goods and people needed to be done in an efficient and timely manner.
“In order to maximize the net benefit to the economy, an efficient transport system needs to be augmented with a safe transportation environment, otherwise the benefits that are derived from transport can be lost through road traffic accidents,” said Mwandila.
Labels: EDUCATION, GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA, ROADS, SAFETY
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Smoke chokes 155 Mopani miners
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe and Zumani Katasefa in Luanshya
Saturday, January 10, 2009 2:31:39 AM
ONE hundred and fifty-five (155) miners at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM)’s Mindolo subvertical were choked on Thursday night after an underground conveyor belt caught fire.
All of the 155 were however rescued and immediately taken to Wusakili Mine Hospital where they were admitted for observation. Of the 155 that were admitted, 10 were still admitted by press time yesterday.
Sources told The Post that most of the mine workers in the afternoon shift were choked from the smoke that came from the burning conveyor belt underground.
And MCM corporate affairs manager Chuma Kabaghe confirmed the fire incident but stated that there were no fatalities.
"On Thursday, 8th January 2009 at about 18:30 hours, the UG8 conveyor belt underground on 2880 level caught fire," Kabaghe stated. "This conveyor belt which is located in a tunnel transfers ore from the Subvertical Shaft to number One Shaft. Since this tunnel in which the conveyor belt is located is a fresh air intake, the smoke drifted downstream at a fast rate affecting 155 employees on different levels in the afternoon shift through smoke inhalation."
She stated that rescue operations were conducted by Mopani fire crew and rescue operation teams that included those from Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Chibuluma Mines.
"All the 155 employees who went underground on the afternoon shift of Thursday were evacuated, accounted for and hospitalised for observation," she stated. "Only 10 out of all the employees earlier admitted are still under observation and are in a stable condition."
Kabaghe stated that the fire came under control at 02:45 hours yesterday morning and thanked KCM and Chibuluma Mines rescue teams for their assistance.
"However, the conveyor belt continued smouldering owing to the high tempereatures within the conveyor belt tunnel," stated Kabaghe. "All logistics are in place to effectively extinguish the smouldering belt."
Meanwhile, mines minister Maxwell Mwale has said the government will not immediately take over the running of Luanshya Copper Mine as it first needed to look at certain technicalities involved in the matter.
Addressing Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ) local branch officials after touring the Baluba mine following reports that the mine may flood due to the inadequate care and maintenance programme which had been put in place by the investor, Mwale reiterated that the government was committed to ensuring that the mine was reopened.
"We would like to see that the mine is opened, we are doing everything possible and a technical committee has since been put in place to look into the matter. As government we used to operate ZCCM, so as government we cannot fail to run the Baluba mine but we have to look at legal aspects and also economic aspects," said Mwale. "We also have to look at what message we would be sending to the donor community and other investors if we take over the mine."
And Copperbelt minister Mwansa Mbulakulima said the union had just expressed concern that the mine could get flooded because of the inadequate care and maintenance programme put in place.
And MUZ local branch officials who had accompanied the minister during his tour of the mine observed that the 480m level central haulage had foggy visibility and ventilation was bad.
"The ground is weak and this is the access to the centre lib and the flat area which is the main production area of our mine. In the same area are machines such as drilling rig, ventilation fans and there is also an 11kv substation which is live," they said.
They said if the 11kv substation was disturbed, it could cause a major electrical power interruption on the Copperbelt.
"Also notable was the visible water on live electrical panels at another substation. This will cause a blow of such electrical installations," they said.
During the tour of the underground mine, LCM chief operations manager James Bethel was visibly panicking in trying not to lead the minister to some sections of the mine where the situation was bad.
Labels: MINERS, SAFETY
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Widow sues Marks Motorways over husband’s death
Written by Laura Mushaukwa-Hamusute
A Lusaka woman, Pauline Katonongo Kazembe, has sued Marks Motorways Ltd over the death of her husband.Kazembe explained in a writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court that her husband was employed as a driver for Marks Motorways Scania Marcopolo Bus registration number AAX 9532 up to the time of his death on November 28, 2005.
She further explained that on the date in question, her husband was at around 09:00 hours involved in road accident, 20 kilometres east of Nyimba on the Great East Road after the bus overturned.
Kazembe disclosed that her husband died on the spot.
It is against this background that Kazembe has sought the court’s intervention in claiming her husband’s benefits from Marks Motorways and damages under the fatal accident Act of 1846 to 1906.
Labels: CAR ACCIDENTS, MARKS MOTORWAYS, PAULINE KATONONGO KAZEMBE, ROADS, SAFETY
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Chililabombwe resident sues 2 mining firms
Written by Maluba Jere
Monday, January 05, 2009 5:56:58 PM
A CHILILABOMBWE resident has sued Mopani Copper Mines (MCP) Plc and Consorcio Tauro Mining (CTM) Limited demanding K102 million for loss of expectation of life while on duty.
Margaret Mambwe has sued the two companies as administrator of the estate of the late Loti Kanta who until May 21, 2008 was employed as a driller at CTM Limited.
Particulars are that on April 9, 2008, the deceased and his workmates were assigned by Consorcio Tauro Mining on a project at Mopani mine in Macular at 1,323 metre level 61P2 footwall Drive East.
It is believed that on the fateful day, the deceased and his workmates were preparing to drill 2.4 metre support holes when a mass measuring about 70 metres dislodged from the roof and buried the deceased causing multiple fatal body injuries.
Mambwe has accused CTM and MCM management of failing to protect the working crew from advancing stress disturbances.
She has also accused the two mining companies of failing to close the part of the mine area pending the restoration of safe conditions.
She stated that Mopani Copper Mine, as the mine owner, was strictly liable for damages suffered by the deceased.
Mambwe said the deceased had suffered loss and damages and was now claiming K10 million for loss of expectation of life and K680 million basic pay, less one third for contingencies by 12 months for 17 years which amounts to K92 million, bringing the total claim to K102 million.
Labels: CHILILABOMBWE, CTM, MARGARET MAMBWE, MCP, MINING, SAFETY
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Dr Mwansa urges safety measures in mines
By Zumani Katasefa in Luanshya
Monday August 18, 2008 [04:00]
MINES minister Dr Kalombo Mwansa has said safety on the mines must never be compromised. Speaking when he officiated at the inter-company first aid competition held on Saturday at Luanshya’s Roan rugby fields, Dr Mwansa said in the pursuit for high production levels, mining regulations 1201 to 1208, which explain first aid requirements at mines, should always be taken very seriously by mining firms.
“The mining council for first aid is carrying out regular mine inspections to assess the compliance of mining units with these regulations,” said Dr Mwansa.
He said all companies involved in mining should seriously participate in events aimed at improving life-saving skills.
“I would like to see all mining companies in Zambia, small and large, and contractors otherwise participate in the first aid competition. I am throwing the challenge to all the organisers of the event to invite all other mining companies to do so next year because of the life–saving skills development that is associated with the event,” Dr Mwansa said.
He noted that he was aware of many companies involved in mining operations that were not taking part in such important competitions.
“This call is in line with the strategic focus for the mining sector during the implementation of Fifth National Development Plan, namely to promote both large and small-scale mining by strengthening the institutional framework support and improving the policy and regulatory framework,” he said.
He said the plan recognised large-scale mining as having an important role to play in the nation’s economy, but it also viewed small-scale mining as having greater potential in employment creation and poverty reduction.
“Therefore, events such as this one should not shy away from bringing on board companies that operate as small-scale mines. A way should be found to include small–scale miners in the annual first aid competition,” he said.
Dr Mwansa said the government took safety on the mines very serious.
“This explains why we are working towards having a stand-alone policy on safety, health, environment and quality control for the mining sector,” he said.
Dr Mwansa also commended Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) chief executive officer Derrick Webbstock for hosting the event.
Labels: KALOMBO MWANSA, MINING, SAFETY
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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
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Lack of safety measures at Mopani worries DC
By Zumani Katasefa
Friday January 25, 2008 [03:00]
MUFULIRA district commissioner Dyford Mulwa has complained about lack of serious safety measures at Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) in Mufulira. In an interview on Wednesday, Mulwa urged the Mines and Safety Department to seriously monitor operations at MCM and ensure that necessary safety measures were put in place at the company.
He said his office was concerned at the number of industrial accidents happening at MCM and the safety of the workers. Mulwa said just a few days earlier two employees died after an explosion that occurred underground.
"John Banda aged 58 of plot number 25 an electrician and Joe Pinalo aged 40 of D 6 Butondo and he was working as a helper died and the accident happened on Monday at about 11 hours,'' said Mulwa.
He said the two sustained serious burns and that they died at Molcom Watson Hospital where they were rushed for treatment.
"Pinalo died at 00:45 hours while Banda died at 12:45 hours,'' he said.
Mulwa said three other workers working for a contracting company under Mopani were gassed when they were on duty.
"The situation is not good, Mopani is not open, it is very difficult to get what is going on. I think it would help them very much if they opened up, this will help them solve a number of problems they are facing as a company,'' he said.
And Mulwa said the supply of water in the area had been improved after the acid spillage in one of the pipes that supply water to the community.
He said three water pumps were recently installed to help improve the supply of clean and safe water to the community.
Labels: MCM, MINING, MOPANI, SAFETY
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