Tragic Accident Claims a Life and Injures Another at Kalumbila Mine in Zambia
An unfortunate accident took place on Wednesday 1st feb 2023 night at the Kalumbila mine in Zambia, causing one fatality and severe harm to another person.
The police stated that the tragedy involved a giant garbage truck running over a Toyota Land Cruiser pickup, with the deceased, Lolioan Chona (47), as a passenger.
A statement from FQM website reads;
“First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum” or “the Company”) (TSX: FM) is deeply saddened to announce that a worker at its Trident operation passed away following a traffic accident in the Sentinel open pit, involving a dump truck and a light vehicle. The site emergency response team attended immediately. One other person was severely injured and medically evacuated.
Trident has advised the relevant local authorities and will assist the Mine Safety Department in their investigations. An internal investigation into the accident is already underway. Operations in the pit have been temporarily suspended until deemed that operations can resume safely.
“I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family of our colleague. We are committed to providing all necessary support for both our employees’ families and colleagues during this difficult time. This is a tragic incident which we are profoundly saddened by,” said Tristan Pascall, Chief Executive Officer. “The safety and health of our workforce is our top priority and we are committed to improve our practices from this incident.”
The significance of safety in mines cannot be stressed enough, and it is vital to implement all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future. This requires making certain vehicles have clear visibility in the mine, and conducting in-depth investigations to identify the source of the accident.
In order to avoid such devastating accidents on mines, there are various safety measures that are supposed to be in place. These measures are designed to minimize the risk of harm to workers and ensure a safe working environment.
– Proper vehicle maintenance and inspection to ensure that all vehicles on the mine are operating at optimal conditions and are equipped with necessary safety features.
– The implementation of strict traffic management plans, which outline the designated routes and speed limits for vehicles, as well as the proper procedures for entering and exiting the mine.
– Regular safety audits and risk assessments to identify potential hazards and take corrective actions to address them.
– Thorough investigation to determine the root cause and take appropriate steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
– Improving vehicle visibility on mines is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all workers.
Here are some steps that can be taken to make all vehicles more visible, especially as seen from massive mining vehicles that are very heavy and unnaturally high:
– Install high-visibility markings: This will help to make the vehicle more noticeable from a distance and reduce the risk of collisions.
– Use warning lights: Installing flashing warning lights, such as strobe lights, on the roof of the vehicle can help to make the vehicle more visible and alert other workers of its presence.
– Implement color coding: Different types of vehicles can be color-coded to help distinguish between them and make them more noticeable.
– Enhance driver training: Drivers should be trained on the importance of visibility and the proper use of warning lights and signals.
– Conduct regular safety audits: Regular safety audits should be conducted to identify areas of concern and take corrective action to address them.
In conclusion, the importance of safety on mines cannot be overemphasized, and it is essential to take all necessary measures to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of workers.
