3 illegal miners die after KCM dumpsite collapse

Tragedy struck the Copperbelt Province once again as three young informal miners lost their lives following a sudden collapse of loose soil at the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Over Burden (OB)-19 dumpsite in Chingola. The fatal incident, which occurred along the Chingola-Solwezi Road, has reignited intense national debate surrounding safety enforcement, economic desperation, and the persistent dangers of artisanal scavenging around major industrial mining concessions. According to law enforcement authorities, the victims had entered the restricted mining waste area after formal operations had knocked off for the day. Copperbelt Police Commissioner Rae Hamoonga detailed that preliminary investigations indicate an excavator operator working at the site had previously issued stern warnings to the informal scavengers, cautioning them that the topography of the hill was unstable and highly hazardous. Despite these warnings, individuals desperate to secure copper-bearing stones scrambled onto the slope shortly after equipment operators moved away. The shifting mass of earth gave way abruptly, trapping several unauthorized diggers beneath tons of loose overburden and debris. Fellow artisanal miners on the scene launched frantic rescue efforts, managing to pull five survivors from the rubble. These individuals were rushed to Nchanga North General Hospital for emergency medical attention. Tragically, two teenagers—identified as 17-year-old Benjamin Kampelo and 18-year-old Kachama Kambongo—were pronounced dead upon arrival. Three other rescued miners received treatment and were subsequently discharged. A subsequent search and rescue sweep through the debris led to the recovery of a third body, identified as 20-year-old Misheck Mwanza, which was transported to the hospital mortuary. Local authorities and community leaders have expressed deep sorrow over the avoidable loss of young lives, emphasizing that economic hardships continue to drive youths toward high-risk informal mi