Indian national arrested, as Zambia suspends four Mpika mining operations over safety breaches

The Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) has suspended operations at four mining and mineral processing operations in Mpika District, Muchinga Province, following a regulatory compliance inspection in the Kanyerere area.

The affected operations are Newtown Youth Advocate Mine, Empirical Trading, Jatana Mineral Resources and Ishinadwusa Mineral Processing Company.

The MRC said its inspectors found serious breaches of mining and regulatory requirements, including concerns over mine safety, underground mine development and the possession and storage of explosives.

The Commission also facilitated the arrest of a 31-year-old Indian national who was allegedly found in possession of explosives without the requisite documentation and approved storage arrangements.

During the inspection, MRC inspectors discovered more than 20 boxes of explosives concealed underneath two beds in two separate rooms.

The discovery was made during routine regulatory and compliance inspections of mining operations in and around the Kanyerere area.

The Commission warned that the unauthorised possession, handling and storage of explosives was a serious regulatory and safety matter that posed significant risks to workers, surrounding communities and property.

“Any person or mining operator authorised to handle explosives must comply fully with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including obtaining the requisite licences and approvals, ensuring that personnel are appropriately trained and storing explosives only in properly constructed and approved explosive magazines,” it said.

The Commission further directed cooperatives holding artisanal mining licences to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of their licences and ensure that all mining activities are conducted in accordance with the law.

During an inspection of the Newtown Youth Cooperative mining site, MRC inspectors found that the cooperative had sunk a shaft approximately 60 metres deep, with workers conducting underground mining activities through tunnels.

“The sinking, development and operation of underground mines require appropriate technical expertise, engineering controls and adherence to approved safety standards to safeguard workers and ensure the stability of underground workings,” the Commission said.

The MRC said it remained concerned about mining practices that exposed workers to avoidable risks and reiterated that protection of human life and occupational safety remained fundamental requirements of responsible mining.

The Commission warned mining operators, licence holders and other industry stakeholders that non-compliance with mining laws and regulatory requirements would not be tolerated.

“The MRC will continue to conduct inspections, monitor compliance and take appropriate enforcement action against mining operations found to be operating outside the law or in breach of prescribed safety, technical and regulatory standards,” it said.

The Commission urged mining operators to treat compliance as a fundamental obligation rather than merely a regulatory requirement.

It said strict adherence to mining laws and safety standards was essential to protecting lives, promoting responsible mineral development, safeguarding communities and supporting the sustainable growth of Zambia’s mining sector.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.