Hundreds of miners from Collum Coal Mine have stormed the palace of Chieftainess Sinazongwe in Sinazongwe District, demanding that the mine resumes operations after being closed for the past nine months.
Some of the affected miners revealed that many workers who were placed on half salaries following the closure are now living in extreme poverty. They added that for the past two to three months, even the half salaries have not been paid.
Efforts to get a comment from the company proved unsuccessful, as management could not be reached. However, Nkandabwe Ward Councillor Charles Ntiiti stated that the company earlier lacked a relocation action plan as required by ZEMA regulations. He explained that such a plan was supposed to outline how affected families would be compensated and relocated, which contributed to the closure of the mine.
He added that more than 100 families were expected to be relocated, but some rejected the compensation offers. According to the councillor, over 350 miners were sent home following the closure, leaving many of them stranded.
Meanwhile, Chieftainess Sinazongwe has called on ZEMA, the Ministry of Mines, and other relevant authorities to intervene in the matter. She has also appealed to the government to consider reopening the mine, noting that illegal activities have increased among miners due to the prolonged closure.
By Helga Chibwe
