Safety & Health - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Fatal Incident at SimFer Project Halts Operations in Guinea

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Contractor Fatality at Rio Tinto’s SimFer Iron Ore Project Suspends Operations in Guinea A contract worker died on Saturday following an incident at the SimFer iron ore project in Nzérékoré, Guinea, according to a statement issued by Rio Tinto. The company did not disclose specific details regarding the circumstances of the incident. All operations at the SimFer site have been suspended pending further review. The temporary shutdown is intended to ensure site safety and support the ongoing investigation. Rio Tinto confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to determine the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Mining safety Safety & Health

Zambian Govt Concludes Investigation into Sino Metals Kafue River Spill

February 2, 2026February 2, 2026 Constance

Sino Metals Kafue River Spill: Zambian Government Completes Investigation, ZEMA Reviews Impact Report The Zambian Government has concluded investigations into the Sino Metals spillage incident that severely impacted the Kafue River ecosystem earlier last year. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, confirmed that an independent environmental consultant has submitted a comprehensive report assessing the spill’s effects on both surface and groundwater quality. The report is currently under review by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA). Dr. Kabeta explained that once ZEMA completes its… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Safety & Health

President Hichilema Enacts New Law to Boost Worker Safety in Zambia

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 Constance

President Hichilema Signs Occupational Health and Safety Act to Strengthen Worker Protection Across Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema has assented to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act No. 16 of 2025, marking a major step toward enhancing workplace safety and preventing occupational diseases across all sectors of the Zambian economy. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security confirmed that the legislation, formerly known as the Occupational Health and Safety Bill No. 17 of 2025, was signed into law on 23 December 2025. The new Act expands the scope of occupational… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Corporate News Mining safety Safety & Health

Kansanshi Mine Trains Zambian Rescue Teams Ahead of 2026 International Competition

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Constance

First Quantum’s Kansanshi Mine Prepares Zambian Rescue Teams for 2026 International Mine Rescue Competition First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi Mine has hosted a high-level rope rescue and first aid training programme for mine rescue teams from eight major mining operations across Zambia, as part of preparations for the 2026 International Mine Rescue Competition. The two-day training brought together 64 participants from Lubambe, Nchanga, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Luanshya, Nampundwe, Chambishi (NFCA), Mufulira and Nkana (both Mopani). The exercise focused on strengthening emergency response capabilities and promoting collaboration across the mining sector.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Mining safety Safety & Health

DRC Minister of Mines Survives Plane Crash During Emergency Mission to Mulondo

November 17, 2025November 19, 2025 Constance

Mulondo Mining Emergency: Minister Louis Watum’s Plane Fire at Kolwezi Airport Avoids Casualties An emergency mining mission to Mulondo, Lualaba Province, led by DRC Minister of Mines Louis Watum, narrowly avoided disaster on Monday, November 17, 2025, when the plane carrying the delegation caught fire upon landing at Kolwezi Airport. Initial reports from airport authorities indicate a technical malfunction in the aircraft’s landing gear, which triggered the fire. Kolwezi airport emergency services responded immediately, containing the blaze and ensuring the safety of all passengers. Miraculously, there were no injuries, despite… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Mining safety Safety & Health

Zambian Communities Demand $420 Million Compensation Over Toxic Mine Spill

September 3, 2025September 3, 2025 Constance

Zambia Mine Spill Victims Seek $420 Million From Sino Metals After Toxic Waste Disaster Communities affected by a massive toxic spill at a Zambian mine in February are demanding $420 million in compensation from Sino Metals Leach Zambia Ltd., a Chinese state-owned company that operates the site. Two separate legal groups issued formal letters of demand to Sino Metals in recent days, according to documents confirmed by their legal representatives. The claims follow reports that the spill — involving highly acidic waste contaminated with toxic heavy metals — may have… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Mine Safety Safety & Health

Zambian Govt Takes Charge of Kafue River Pollution Assessment After Sino Leach Metal Spill

August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 Constance

Zambia Orders Independent Assessment of Kafue River Pollution Caused by Sino Leach Metal Spill The Zambian government has announced that it will oversee the procurement of an independent consulting firm to assess pollution levels in the Kafue River following a toxic slurry spill by Sino Leach Metal Zambia in Chambeshi District, Copperbelt Province. The environmental incident, caused by a dam failure at Sino Leach Metal Zambia, released approximately 50,000 cubic meters of acidic slurry containing heavy metals into surrounding water bodies, sparking serious public health and ecological concerns. Green Economy… Read More Here

Copper Mining in Zambia Safety & Health

Zambia Copper Mine Disaster Far Worse Than Reported, Independent Audit Finds

August 14, 2025August 14, 2025 Constance

Zambia Copper Mine Spill Released 30x More Toxic Waste Than Official Estimate, Audit Reveals The partial collapse of a waste dam at a Chinese state-owned copper mine in Zambia may have released 30 times more toxic sludge into the environment than previously reported, according to an independent evaluation of the disaster. An assessment by Drizit Zambia Ltd., hired to investigate the February 18 accident at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Ltd. near Kitwe, found that at least 1.5 million tons of sulphuric acid-bearing tailings escaped—enough to fill more than 400 Olympic-sized swimming… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Safety & Health

Zambia Rejects US Concerns Over Copper Mine Acid Spill

August 8, 2025August 8, 2025 Constance

Zambia Says Copper Mine Acid Spill No Longer a Health Risk Amid US Travel Warning Zambia’s government on Thursday rejected claims that a February acid spill in its copper-mining region continues to pose a serious health threat, countering a US embassy travel advisory that warned of widespread contamination. The incident occurred when a tailings dam failed at a Chinese-operated copper processing plant in Chambishi, releasing 50,000 cubic metres of acidic slurry into nearby rivers. According to government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, clean-up operations—primarily using lime to neutralise acidity—have restored pH levels… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Corporate News Safety & Health

Kansanshi Mining Earns Second Place in Zambia’s 2025 National First Aid Competition

August 3, 2025August 3, 2025 Constance

Kansanshi Mining Places Second in Zambia’s 2025 Inter-Company First Aid Competition, Showcasing Safety Excellence Kansanshi Mining PLC secured a commendable second place at the 2025 Zambia Chamber of Mines Inter-Company First Aid Competition, underscoring its steadfast commitment to workplace health and safety. The prestigious event was hosted by Mopani Copper Mines at Nkana Stadium in Kitwe under the theme “First Aid in a Digital World.” A total of 21 companies participated, showcasing advanced life-saving skills and innovative safety practices. Despite the challenge of fielding an entirely new team—per regulations requiring… Read More Here