Musukwa snubs resignation calls

Mines Minister and Minerals Minister Richard Musukwa

Mines and Mineral Development Minister, Richard Musukwa says he will not resign over the black mountain tragic accident in which at least 10 small scale miners commonly known as jerabos died after part of the copper slug dump collapsed and buried them alive.

There have been calls for the minister to resign after he recently declared that the operations at the site in Kitwe were safe and dismissed assertions that the black mountain was a disaster in waiting.

Mr Musukwa says he will not resign, but will instead ensure that what happened at the black mountain does happened again by ensuring compliance to mining regulations.

He has attributed the accident to failure to comply with conditions of grant of the licence and the subsequent safety and operation guidelines which were given to the Chapamo Mineral Processing Limited in writing and reiterated at several meetings called by the ministry.

Mr Musukwa adds that government will not compensate families of the victims, but will provide relief support to the bereaved families.

Responding to questions after delivering a ministerial statement in parliament, Mr Musukwa said the families cannot be compensated as those who died were illegal scavengers.

And Mr Musukwa further stated that mining activities at the site will remain suspended until Chapamo Mineral Processing Limited complies with a number of measures which include submitting an environmental impact assessment report.

He says the area will continue to be manned by Police officers until all measures have been put in place.