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The Zambian government, through the office of Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, has reportedly handed over US$4 million in compensation to illegal miners, commonly known as Jerabos, who were removed from the Sensele copper pit in Chingola following a fatal mining incident.
The compensation, provided by a yet-to-be-named investor, was officially handed over on Friday at the Chingola Civic Centre and is expected to benefit more than 4,000 Jerabos who had been operating at the copper dump.
About two years ago, government resolved to remove illegal miners from the Sensele site following a mine collapse that claimed at least 36 lives, with some bodies yet to be retrieved.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kabuswe said government had insisted that the affected miners received compensation before the investor took over the site.
Read more : Breaking! Illegal miner returns to site where 30 died, gets buried alive while scavenging for copper ore
“We had to put our foot down to ensure that you walk away with something before the owner of the mine decided to remove you,” Kabuswe said.
He noted that the US$4 million compensation package would have a positive economic impact on Chingola and acknowledged calls from the miners for an alternative place where they could continue mining legally and safely.
Kabuswe emphasized that government was committed to ensuring mining activities were conducted in a safe environment to prevent the loss of lives, as witnessed at Sensele.
He also urged the beneficiaries to support the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema as the country approached the next general elections.
Earlier, Jerabos steering committee chairperson, Joseph Kazhila, thanked government and the investor for fulfilling the commitment to provide an exit package, but said the amount would not be sufficient in the long term.
“This money will be a drop in the ocean. We appeal to government to identify an alternative place where Jerabos can mine safely,” Kazhila said.
He praised President Hichilema, Minister Kabuswe and Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo for considering the plight of the Jerabos.
Jerabos leader, Douglas Chilembe, also thanked government for the compensation and reiterated the need for authorities to allocate a designated mining area, noting that the list of beneficiaries exceeds 4,000 miners.
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