MINERS WARNED AGAINST USING MINORS
MINERS using minors in manganese mining activities in Chifunabuli district in Luapula Province will be arrested as it is a serious crime, Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Chanda Kaziya has said.
Mr Kaziya said he would engage law enforcement officers and inspectors from the ministry to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book.
He warned in an interview yesterday, that action would be taken against perpetrators who were putting the lives of minors in danger.
Information reaching the Daily Nation indicates that some miners in the area were using minors to explore manganese in Chifunabuli.
A number of miners are said to be using juveniles in the mining activities without protective attire.
But this development has displeased Mr Kaziya who advised perpetrators of such acts to refrain from doing so or face the wrath of the law.
“These people think they are clever because nothing is being done even when they are using small boys but we shall deal with them,” Mr Kaziya warned.
The permanent secretary said he would engage the police and inspectors from the ministry to intervene and deal with those found wanting.
“This report has not reached me but I will task my officers from Mansa district so that we can intervene and fish them out wherever they are.
“What these are miners are doing is not right and we shall not tolerate people who are abrogating the law,” Mr Kaziya said.