Rescuers hopeful upon hearing sounds from trapped miners
Rescuers Searching for Trapped Miners Filled with Hope After Hearing Something from the Tunnels
A member of a rescue team raised hope on Monday that there may be survivors at a Zambian mine where more than 30 informal miners have been trapped under debris for days and presumed dead after heavy rain caused landslides.
Rescuers have been tirelessly searching for the miners since early Friday after they were buried Thursday night while digging tunnels at an open-pit mine near the city of Chingola on the country’s copper belt.
“We are getting close and expect to find survivors as there are some voices we are hearing from one of the tunnels,” Wiva Chanda, an informal miner from the area helping with the rescue effort, told The Associated Press by telephone.
“There is hope, but I think it will be a mix of survivors and dead bodies.”
Chingola District Commissioner Raphael Chumupi revealed that at least 36 miners were buried in three separate tunnels while they were illegally digging for copper ore at the Seseli mine without the knowledge of the mine owner.
Zambian government officials stated that more than 30 miners were trapped under the landslides, but an exact number couldn’t be determined.
Police suspect that all the miners have died and have confirmed seven of them as fatalities. However, no bodies have been retrieved, and the Zambian government believes it is too early to determine the exact number of casualties.
Zambian Vice President Mutale Nalumango stated that rescuers are still working tirelessly to remove debris and pump water out of the tunnels in the hope of finding survivors. “Their condition remains unknown,” Nalumango said of the miners.
Rescue efforts have been hindered by continuous rainfall, and one of the three sites where rescuers are working is completely waterlogged, making the operation even more challenging.
The army is also lending a hand in the rescue effort.
Zambia is recognized as one of the top 10 copper producers globally.
Chingola, located approximately 250 miles north of the capital, Lusaka, is home to large open-pit copper mines surrounded by massive waste piles of rock and earth that have been excavated from the mines.
Informal mining is prevalent in the area, where artisanal miners dig in search of minerals, often neglecting proper safety procedures.
Note:
The Western Journal has not reviewed this Associated Press story prior to publication. Therefore, it may contain editorial bias or may in some other way not meet our normal editorial standards. It is provided to our readers as a service from The Western Journal.
The post Rescuers Searching for Trapped Miners Filled with Hope After Hearing Something from the Tunnels appeared first on The Western Journal.
How does the involvement of informal miners highlight the challenges in regulating mining activities in Zambia?
Ssing-in-zambian-mine/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>deceased, based on bodies found in the area. However, the hope of finding survivors grew after the rescue team heard voices from one of the tunnels.
The rescue operation has faced significant challenges due to the poor weather conditions and the unstable nature of the mine. The heavy rain caused landslides, making it difficult to access the tunnels. Despite these obstacles, the rescue team has been working tirelessly to locate the trapped miners, hoping to find survivors amidst the debris.
The use of informal miners, commonly known as “jerabos,” is a significant issue in Zambia’s mining industry. These individuals, mostly unemployed, engage in illegal mining activities, exposing themselves to dangerous conditions. The Seseli mine, where the incident occurred, is an open-pit mine owned by a registered mining company. The involvement of informal miners without the knowledge of the mine owner highlights the challenges the industry faces in regulating these activities.
Rescue efforts have been coordinated by various stakeholders, including the local authorities, mine officials, and neighboring communities. The government has provided support and resources to aid in the rescue operation. Additionally, experts from the mining industry have been called in to assist in assessing the stability of the tunnels to ensure the safety of the rescue team.
The incident at the Seseli mine has once again raised concerns about safety standards and regulations in the mining sector. It is crucial for mining companies to prioritize the well-being of workers and implement stringent safety protocols to prevent such incidents from occurring. Furthermore, efforts need to be made to address the issue of informal miners and find sustainable solutions to their employment challenges.
As the rescue team continues their search for survivors, there is both hope and apprehension surrounding the outcome. The voices heard from the tunnels have sparked a glimmer of hope among the rescuers, but the reality of the situation cannot be ignored. It is a race against time to reach the trapped miners and provide them with the necessary assistance.
Regardless of the outcome, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that miners face on a daily basis. It is essential for governments, mining companies, and stakeholders to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of those working in the industry.
As the rescue operation unfolds, the thoughts and prayers of the nation are with the trapped miners and their families. The search for survivors continues, fueling the determination of the rescuers to bring them back to safety. May this incident prompt a renewed focus on safety in the mining industry and lead to necessary reforms and improvements.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
