By Yewa Kumwenda
Mopani Copper Mines-Nkana team A has won the Zambia Mine Rescue Competition that was held at the ZESCO Victoria falls Hydro Power Station in Livingstone from 23rd -27th July 2018. Six teams qualified to the finals of the 2018 Mine Rescue competition. Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) had 3 teams, 2 teams from Nchanga and 1 from Konkola; Mopani Copper Mines had 2 teams, 1 team from Mufulira and another team from Nkana and Lubambe Mine had 1 team.
Mr Sokwani Chilembo, Chief Executive Officer of the Zambia Chamber of Mines thanked ZESCO management for accepting to host the competition which was a neutral ground for the teams from the mining industry.
He further thanked Mine ARC Systems for sponsoring Mine Rescue programs and offering technical support since 2016.
Mr Chilembo said the Chamber aimed at ensuring that mine rescue services bench marked with regional and international best practices.
Speaking at the same event, the President of Zambia Mine Rescue, Mr Maron Chongo said the association was ready to live up to its mandate of providing efficient and cost effective mine rescue services and training in emergency preparedness to the mining industry and the community to mitigate loss of life and property.
Mr Chongo congratulated the winning team that would represent Zambia at the 2019 International Mine Rescue Competition that would be held in Colombia.
Mopani Copper Mines-Nkana A emerged victorious after pipping KCM Konkola A and KCM Nchanga C to second and third place respectively.
