By MAYA NTANDA –

TEN deaths were recorded in 2013 as a result of illegal mining activities at Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) on the Copperbelt.

KCM public relations manager Joy Sata said the 10 deaths were recorded in illegal mining activities from January 2013 to date.

Ms Sata said in response to a Press query that there was a reduction in the number of deaths recorded as a result of illegal mining activities as compared to 2012 which recorded 12 deaths.

She said sustained sensitisation programmes within the communities and renewed commitment by the Zambia Police had played a key role in reducing the number of deaths related to illegal mining.

“Illegal mining activities subsided in 2013 compared to 2012 as a result of various measures taken by both Government through Zambia Police Service and other State security wings and KCM,” she said.

Ms Sata said in 2012, security personnel manning the open pits drove away about 3,208 illegal miners while in January, 2013 to date, 3,822 were held off from the open pits.

She further said 107 persons were prosecuted for engaging in illegal mining and 1,301 x 139 kilogrammes of copper ore was recovered in 2012.

Last year, 79 people were prosecuted and 156 x 140 kilogrammes of copper ore was recovered.

KCM operates underground and open pit mines as well as metallurgical plants with operations located in Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kitwe and Nampundwe areas.

Ms Sata said the company aimed to produce over 400,000 tonnes of Copper, upon completion of its flagship, Konkola Deep Mining Project (KDMP), and aspires to play a leading role in making Zambia one of the leading copper producers in the world.