Kapiri manganese miners protest

MINERS at old miner of Hua Cheng Manganese Mining Limited in Kapiri Mposhi have downed tools following the death of their colleague who died while on duty.

The 35-year-old Brian Ngulube was trapped by the factory elevator cable which subsequently cut off his right leg before he fell to his death.

The incident fuelled tension prompting an immediate work stoppage among workers at the company.

The workers who sought anonymity have downed tools citing poor safety and working conditions.

Kapiri Mposhi acting District Commissioner, Kaunda Mulenga and Hua Cheng Manganese Mining Limited’s Human Resource Officer, David Mbangu confirmed the accident.

We had an accident which has claimed a miner’s life at the Manganese Smelter after a faulty cable from the elevator trapped and cut his right leg before fell off from the lift, which was at high height,” Mr Kaunda said.

The duo indicated that the accident happened on Saturday around 11:00 hours at the Chinese owned manganese smelter along the Kapiri Mposhi-Mkushi Road.

The incident happened as the victim was repairing a faulty blast furnace feeder elevator when his leg suddenly got stuck in between the elevator’s lifting and pulling cables which consequently cut off his right leg before he fell off to his death.

The body of Mr Ngulube has since been deposited to Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital mortuary while police have launched investigations in the matter.

“We had an accident which has claimed a miner’s life at the Manganese Smelter after a faulty cable from the elevator trapped and cut his right leg before fell off from the lift, which was at high height,” Mr Kaunda said.

ZANIS