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Deputy Inspector General of Police, Fred Hamaamba, has warned illegal miners operating in Central Province to immediately vacate mining areas or face intensified police operations.
Hamaamba said the Police Command would not allow individuals to continue exploiting mineral resources without the required legal documentation and authorisation.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police issued the warning while conducting inspections and assessing the illegal mining situation in Mkushi and Chitambo Districts.
The warning follows a mining accident at Mulaushi Mine in the Katikulula Resettlement Area on August 29, 2026, where four illegal miners died. Hamaamba later visited the site to assess the situation.
During the spot checks, Hamaamba pledged increased police deployments to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s mineral resources.
“The Police have a duty to protect mineral deposits from being exploited by illegal miners. A permanent solution will be devised, and more Police officers will be deployed to the area to stop the illegality,” he said.
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Hamaamba cautioned those still operating illegally to leave the affected mining areas, stressing that the sites were unsafe and continued mining could result in serious injuries or loss of life.
He further urged miners to desist from entering or working in the area without appropriate protective clothing and other required safety measures, saying such practices exposed them to avoidable risks.
Central Division Deputy Commanding Officer, Robert Makwelele, said approximately 10,000 illegal miners had been removed from the resettlement area following the accident.
“After the accident, we managed to chase everyone from the area, but a few people kept mining without documentation. We arrested 29 illegal miners who are currently in Police custody,” Makwelele said.
Mkushi Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Judith Mfune, said the district had recorded an increase in illegal mining activities, particularly during the just-ended election period. She said the District Joint Operations Committee had been conducting joint operations to curb the activities.
Police have since urged all illegal miners to vacate the affected areas and refrain from returning without the necessary legal documentation.
Members of the public have also been advised to avoid entering restricted or unsafe mining areas to prevent injury, death, or arrest.
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