FOR a mining country like Zambia, competent rescue operations in the industry are a must. Short of a vibrant rescue capacity, disasters by way of loss of miners’ lives would become inevitable.
It matters, then, that Zambia will be the first African country to participate at the International Mine Rescue Competition slated for Ekaterinburg, Russia during the month of September.
Though Zambia is perceived to uphold best practices in mine rescue, it is to the industry’s added advantage that the Zambia Chamber of Mines is sending a team from Mopani Copper Mine to participate and demonstrate their mine rescue skills, knowledge, equipment compliance and fitness at the event.
We believe that all forms of mining in Zambia need the benefit of exposure to issues of safety and rescue operations. Casualties at the workplace must, by all means, be brought down to a mere minimum, more so with the support of appropriate legislation.
Lives have been lost in both legal and illegal mining locations, which makes safety and rescue appreciation vital across the board. This is an important consideration, in view of the Chamber’s concern that mine rescue services should extend to areas outside the mines.
It is all a matter of sensitisation within mining circles, and all authorities and entities concerned with occupational safety and rescue missions need buy-into the increasing knowledge that the visit to Russia portends.
by Solwezi Today
