9 May 2008
Ndola — NINE workers yesterday sustained serious burns following an explosion at Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) Nkana smelter in Kitwe.
Six of them were admitted to Wusakile Mine Hospital while three were treated and discharged. One of the victims, who was said to be in a critical situation, was admitted to the intensive care unit.
A TIMES team found the burnt workers being attended to by hospital personnel.
Mineworkers union of Zambia general secretary, Oswell Munyenyembe, said the accident happened at a place known as Mark Truck number two in the early hours of yesterday.
Mr Munyenyembe explainedthat after a spillage, copper on the surface remained dry and the workers continued drilling.
They did not realisethat there was some hotmolten underneath which exploded upon being hit.
Mr Munyenyembe identified the seriously burnt miner as Rogers Chisenga, 40.
Others admitted to the hospital were Masansa Musumpa, 41,Bernard Sakala, 35, and Alex Chisanga, 49.
The rest were Salimu Mwamba, 27, and Andrew Siame, 22.
Kitwe District Commissioner, MacDonald Mtine, visited the victims at the hospital.
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