The Zambia Mine Rescue Association under the Zambia Chamber of Mines (ZCM) held the National Mine Rescue competition from 22nd to 26th July 2019 at the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Victoria Falls Hydro Power Station in Livingstone.
The following teams participated in the competition: CLM-Luanshya Mine, Mopani-Nkana, Mopani-Mufulira, NFCA-Chambishi, Lubambe Copper Mine and Konkola Copper Mines-Nchanga.
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Nchanga team B emerged as winners, while Mopani-Mufulira team B were runners up and third position was taken up by Lubambe Copper Mine team A.
The competition saw Mulenga Henry from KCM-Nchanga emerge as the best team Captain, while Chisala Newton of the same team emerged as the best Vice Captain.
The best Brigades man in theory tests was scooped by Moses Keta of CLM Luanshya Mine and Kennedy Mangela of Mopani-Nkana emerged as second best Brigades man.
The best workload test was won by Kapena Vincent of KCM-Nchanga, while the best relay team was scooped by Mopani-Nkana team B.
NFCA-Chambishi team A were the best team in First Aid theory followed by KCM-Nchanga team B.
Speaking at the Prize giving ceremony, Zambia Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Mr Sokwani Chilembo thanked ZESCO for hosting the competition.
He further announced that the Chamber of Mines and Mopani Central Training Center (MCTC) a Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) approved institution were going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for MCTC to take up Mine Rescue training in Zambia.
He added that the goal of the Chamber of Mines was to ensure that Mine Rescue services benchmark with regional and international best practices.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Mine Rescue President Mr Maron Chongo congratulated the winners and encouraged all participating teams to continue working hard.
“Those who have not excelled today, should not despair, they are still part of the winning mining industry team, equal to the task embedded in the common goal of the Mine Rescue Services Family – to save life and property.” He said.
In conclusion he thanked MineArc Systems the main sponsor of the 2019 National Mine Rescue Competition for sponsoring Mine Rescue Competitions since 2015.
The 2019 winners, KCM-Nchanga team B, will represent Zambia at the International Mine Rescue Competition to be held in Australia in 2021.
