Zambian Miners Rescued Following Nationwide Power Outage
Miners trapped underground at two copper mines in Zambia were safely rescued after a nationwide power outage disrupted operations, the country’s Ministry of Energy reported on Monday.
The blackout occurred on Sunday due to a “power system disturbance,” according to state utility Zesco. The outage also affected neighboring Zimbabwe, highlighting the region’s ongoing energy challenges exacerbated by the worst drought in decades, which has severely impacted hydropower generation.
Zambia’s Energy Permanent Secretary, Peter Mumba, confirmed that miners were trapped at Mopani Copper Mines, majority-owned by the United Arab Emirates’ International Resources Holding, and at another Chinese-owned mine. While he did not specify the number of miners affected, he assured that all had been safely rescued.
Zesco Acting Managing Director Justin Longo announced that power supply to Zambia’s mining companies, a crucial sector for Africa’s second-largest copper producer, was fully restored by 01:30 GMT, with nationwide supply restored by 04:00 GMT.
Longo stated that the cause of the outage is under investigation but ruled out issues with power generation at the Kariba Dam. The Kariba North Bank Power Station, Zambia’s largest hydroelectric facility with an installed capacity of 1,080 MW, is currently producing just 120 MW due to critically low water levels.
“We are operating only one unit, and it’s not even running at full capacity,” explained Mukupa Mulenga, the station’s maintenance manager.
The outage and subsequent rescue underscore the fragility of Zambia’s energy infrastructure amid growing concerns about climate impacts on hydropower, a vital source of electricity for the region.
