15 May 2008
Ndola — ILLEGAL miners in Chingola yesterday rioted after two of their friends were shot and wounded by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Cobra Security officers.
KCM and Cobra Security on Tuesday shot two illegal miners who were part of the large number of mostly youths that raided the KCM mining area and disused pits to steal copper concentrates and ore.
But yesterday, the illegal miners mobilised themselves early in the morning and blocked the Chingola-Chililabombwe road with stones near the underbridge.
The unruly mob also stoned motorists that were using the road and disrupted the early morning traffic between the two towns and the situation was only saved by police who fired teargas to disperse the mob.
Copperbelt police chief, Antoneil Mutentwa confirmed both the shooting and riot by the illegal miners.
He said the two who were shot were at first rushed to Nchanga North General Hospital before being referred to Kitwe Central Hospital for specialised treatment.
He said this was the second time the illegal miners were rioting. Last year on April 19, illegal miners rioted to protest against being barred accessing the disused pits.
Mr Mutentwa said police would continue to use force to get rid of the stubborn illegal miners.
Mr Mutentwa said KCM was chasing the illegal miners from the disused pits not because the company was losing money but on account that the Government was concerned with the number of deaths recorded as a result of the illegal mining activities.
"The Ministry of Mines under its wing, the mines safety department (MSD), has warned KCM that if the company fails to keep the illegal miners away from the dangerous areas, then the company risked closure, being charged or held responsible for the deaths.
"As State police, we were informed of the shooting and we have made some reinforcement to supplement other security wings," He said.
Mr Mutentwa said his office would engage KCM and other stakeholders in the district to find a permanent solution to the number of deaths because the major problem was in Chingola.
KCM communication advisor, Sam Equamor declined to comment and referred all comments to State police because the matter involved shooting of suspects.
Meanwhile, Citizens for a Better Environment executive director, Peter Sinkamba said the directive by MSD on KCM to bar the illegal miners was placing the company in an awkward position because the company was primarily involved in copper production.
Mr Sinkamba said there was need for the Government to expedite the handing-over of the disused pits in Chingola to illegal miners to reduce deaths.
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