2 ILLEGAL MINERS DIE IN CHINGOLA

Two illegal miners aged 19 and 20 have died after a pile of earth collapsed on them while mining copper-ore illegally at the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) dumpsite in Chingola.

Copperbelt police commanding officer Peacewell Mweemba said the incident happened on Saturday around 19:45 hours.

Mr Mweemba said Constable Hibajeni reported that there was a mine accident at KCM dump site and two illegal miners had died while one had survived.

The two dead miners, who went mining at Cop 5 KCM dumpsite with other friends around 18:00 hours, have been named as Prince Chilumba, 19, and Collins Nkweto, 20, both of Chingola.

“While working, a pile of earth fell on them and before they could run for safety, they were buried completely,” he said.

The miners were later retrieved but Chilumba and Nkweto were discovered dead while Jackson Illunga, 18, survived.

Police officers, who went to the scene, noted that Nkweto had an amputated right arm believed to have been caused by an excavator which was used to retrieve the body.

On the other hand, Chilumba had no visible injuries together with Illunga, who was complaining of general body pains.

Zambia Daily Mail