Jerabos And Their Dangerous Mining Methods In Luanshya

The author interviewing some illegal
miners in one of their caves

By Paul Shalala in Luanshya

A disaster is looming at Luanshya Copper Mines where hundreds of illegal miners armed with picks and steel rodes are risking their lives by digging for copper and chrome at one of the mine's two Black Mountains.

Luanshya Copper Mines is owned by CNMC, a Chinese conglomerate.

But the illegal miners, who are mostly youths, have over the past years invaded the area and dug several underground caves where they dig for copper and chrome in unsafe conditions.

This reporter recently had rare access to these miners who are dangerous and are known for killing or injuring security officers.

These miners do not have safety suits, safety goggles or safety boots, they dig with their bare hands and end up with injuries at times.

Two days before the interview, the miners who are locally known as Ifinyamunyamu or Jerabos, beat up guards from Cobra Security with machetes and chased them from the mine site.

But using the help of heavily armed Police officers, this reporter negotiated his way to the Black Mountain where he had an exclusive interview with leaders of these miners.

One of the leaders of the illegal miners Bernard Mulenga who is popularly known as Pisto, says they risk their lives to dig illegally because of the quest for money.

Mr Mulenga, who is a former convict, says through illegal mining, they are able to make money to feed their families and take children to school.

He told this blogger that despite the dangers of being buried alive, poverty forces them to do illegal work to raise money.

“We work in these caves without fear because we have no jobs. We risk our lives and dig for copper concentrates and chrome using various tools. But this cave you are looking at, we have abandoned it because it is not safe, it can bury us alive,” said Pisto as he pointed at an abandoned cave.

Another illegal miner Evans Kabanda has asked President Edgar Lungu to consider giving the copper rich slug dump to the youths.

Mr Kabanda says just like he did to the youths of Kitwe, President Lungu should consider empowering youths in Luanshya with the two Black Mountains to reduce unemployment in the mining town.

“If we can be given this Black Mountain like our colleagues were given in Kitwe, mining can be safer. They can even empower us with excavators so that we stop mining in caves,” said Mr Kabanda.

But Luanshya District Commissioner Joel Chibuye, who recently visited the site, expressed concern that the continued illegal mining at Luanshya Copper Mines will cause fatalities.

Mr Chibuye said government is now working out plans to find ways in which the youths can be helped to avoid illegal mining in unsafe caves.

“We just had a disaster at the Black Mountain in Kitwe and we risk having another one here in Luanshya. We have started engaging stakeholders to ensure that we avert this crisis,” he said.

The slug dump is legally owned by Luanshya Copper Mines but these illegal miners have made it their workplace.

Their dangerous ways of mining is a source of concern.

Not too long ago, 11 illegal miners were buried alive at a similar Black Mountain in Kitwe.

Despite all this risk, these illegal miners are not the biggest beneficiaries of the slug dump.

Richer players on the black market buy the copper concentrates and chrome from these miners.

The middle men then sale the stones to the Chinese who have a number of smelters across the Copperbelt.

This illegal business is so sophisticated that trucks visit the Black Mountains at night to collect what is dug during the day.

Luanshya Copper Mines Recalls 150 Workers From Forced Leave

Outside the slag treatment plant at Luanshya Copper Mines

By Paul Shalala in Luanshya

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines has pumped US$3 million into its slag treatment plant which has created 150 jobs for the miners who were last year sent on forced leave when Baluba Mine was placed under care and maintenance.

The mine was placed under care and maintenance following the drop in the copper prices at the international market and the reduction of electricity supply to the mine after the reported reduction of water levels in the Kariba dam.

Power supply to the mine was reduced from 55 megawatts to 40 megawatts in a bid to ration power in the mines following a countrywide energy deficit.

1,200 workers at Baluba mine were sent on forced leave and since then, they have been receiving a minimal salary per month while a good number of them decided to move on.

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines Spokesperson Sydney Chileya says following the rise in copper prices, the mine has decided to recall 150 workers who will work at the slag treatment plant.

“So far, 41 artisans, boilers and electricians have resumed work following the injection of the $3 million to revive the plant. Once these workers make the necessary preparations for full operations, our plan is that in the coming weeks we will have the full team in place,” said Mr Chileya, while leading this blogger on a tour of the plant.

According to an employment schedule by the mine, dozens of workers will be recalled per week until the number 150 is reached at the end of March.

The first batch of 41 recalled workers has since finished the mandatory two day induction training.

At the time this blogger visited the plant on Thursday, the workers were on their first full day at work.

And one of the recalled workers Paul Malama says life was hard when he was on forced leave as he was unable to meet most of his family’s basic needs.

“I spent the last one year and four months at home. It was not easy to keep up with home needs. I had been praying to God for a miracle and now it has happened,” said the smiling Malama.

Despite the company recalling only 150, the full capacity of the slag treatment plant is 160.

“At this plant, we need between 150 and 160 workers. At its peak, this plant is a hive of activity,” said Golden Chilukutu, the Plant Manager.

Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines is the largest employer in the mining town of Luanshya.

“We are happy that Luanshya Copper Mines has pumped in money in its slag treatment plant which has created jobs for our brothers from Baluba who were sent on forced leave. This is the way it is supposed to be,” said Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda in an interview.

Meanwhile, the stock piling of slag just outside the plant has started and work is expected to be at its peak in the next three weeks.

In the last two months, the mine has had two workers strikes over salary increments.

However, mine management and the mine unions reached an agreement on monetary incentives for the workers and negotiations for the next collective agreement are expected to resume in October.

CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines is a Chinese owned company which is a subsidiary of NFCA Mining, a conglomerate which runs mines and smelters across the Copperbelt.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was also aired as a TV report on TV1 main news on 10 February 2017. It can be watched here: Luanshya Mine Report