Small-scale miners operating illegally at the COP 5 Dumpsite in Chingola District, Copperbelt Province, are urging authorities to grant them a one-month extension to continue their work before the site is permanently closed. The call for leniency comes after a directive was issued to halt all mining activities due to severe safety risks, which tragically resulted in the deaths of eight miners on October 29, 2024, following a landslide at the site.
The miners argue that an additional month would provide them with sufficient income to sustain themselves through the upcoming rainy season, a period that often limits income-generating opportunities in the region. Many of these small-scale miners depend on the site as their primary source of livelihood and express concern about the economic hardship they will face without this income.
Authorities ordered the suspension of activities at COP 5 after the accident, highlighting urgent safety concerns and the need to prevent further fatalities. However, the miners have requested that authorities reconsider a temporary extension, allowing them to work under stricter safety measures. The incident has sparked broader discussions on the safety and regulation of small-scale mining operations across Zambia, emphasizing the need to balance economic livelihoods with miner safety.
By Rogan Labika