Kabuswe proposes Minerals Protection Unit after Mufumbwe mine tragedy claims eight lives

Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, says government is considering the establishment of a Minerals Protection Unit in the wake of the deadly mine collapse in Mufumbwe, North-Western Province, which has so far claimed eight lives.

Delivering a joint ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday, Kabuswe described the planned unit as a cornerstone of government’s response to the tragedy, aimed at curbing illegal mining and strengthening emergency response mechanisms.

“The Mufumbwe disaster has painfully demonstrated the urgent need for specialized enforcement,” Kabuswe told Parliament.

He said the proposed unit would deploy security personnel to high-risk mining areas such as Mufumbwe, dismantle illegal mining networks, and bolster on-site emergency response capacity.

Kabuswe also updated the House on ongoing rescue efforts, stating that search operations are continuing and that more miners are still unaccounted for.

“The death toll stands at eight, with several miners still missing. The nation mourns this preventable tragedy,” he said.

The Minister emphasized that the Minerals Protection Unit is part of broader sector reforms, which include the implementation of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act (2024), ongoing restructuring of the Ministry for greater oversight, and the establishment of a Directorate for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners.

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