Mine fatalities worry State

THE mining and quarrying sectors have recorded an average of 16 fatal accidents per annum, says Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Paul Chanda.

Mr Chanda noted that despite the decline in the number of fatalities reported over the years, the situation on safety in the mines was still worrying. He was speaking during the 4th National Health, Safety and Environment Conference at Protea Hotel in Ndola. He called for more concerted efforts from all the plays in the mining industry in order to improve occupational health and safety systems. “There can be no sustainable mining and subsequent development where there is no safety and care for the employees and the environment. Depending on how it is done, mining can impact the environment either positively or negatively,” he said. Mr Chanda said it was the desire of the ministry to have a growing mining industry by using technology that generated benefits with zero negative impacts on communities. He said technology was radically transforming mining operations with an eye towards productivity, safety and sustainability. He however pointed out that there were a number of environmental issues which were arising from mining activities that were undertaken in the past. He said the ministry was working to mitigate the negative impact of past mining activities. Government, Mr Chanda said, had secured funds from the World Bank to implement a project called Zambia Mining Environmental Remediation and Improvement Project (ZMERIP) to reduce environmental health risks. Meanwhile, Mopani Copper Mines Chief Executive Officer Ben Forie assured Government of the mines commitment to safety. Mr Forie said the mine would ensure that health practices were undertaken to better serve employees and the environment. And Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Sokwani Chilembo said mines would come up with technological ways of improving safety.