JERABOS ASK FOR COPPER WASTE DUMPS

By SANDRA MACHIMA IILEGAL small-scale miners commonly known as Jerabos in Chingola have appealed to the government to compel Konkola Copper Mines to release copper waste dumps to help avert illegal mining activities in the area, its group leader Big Tree Society chairman, Martin Kalunga has said.

Mr Kalunga said a number of miners had died in mine accidents while others had either been arrested and convicted of criminal trespass, maimed or shot dead usually in unreported circumstances, saying it was why they wanted the government to compel KCM to discharge overburdened dumps.

A group of small-scale miners (Jerabos) in Chingola had formed an association known as Big Tree Society aimed at safeguarding their interests and act as a bridge between the small-scale miners and firms such as KCM.

Mr Kalunga said it was sad that KCM was still dragging its feet despite having formed cooperatives on the advice of the government through the minister of Mines, Mr Christopher Yaluma.

Mr Kalunga said that would end the negative perception that people had about small-scale miners, that they were violent and criminals.

“But it's like KCM is not interested in addressing our plight which could help end illegal mining activities. Both the government and KCM ought to realise that we are forced to take up such risky activities due to high unemployment rates and poverty,” he said.