2026 A WORRYING YEAR FOR MINE SAFETY AS FATALITIES CONTINUE TO RISE, SAYS MUZ.
By Ennie Kishiki Mutepuka.
The Mine-workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), says 2026 is rapidly becoming one of the most difficult and worrying years for mine-workers, due to the continued loss of lives in mining accidents, warning that the industry risks normalizing preventable fatalities if urgent action is not taken.
Following the death of Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) employee Timothy Mwananshiku after an underground accident in Chililabombwe, MUZ President, Joseph Chewe, said the latest tragedy was another painful and needless loss of a miner due to the growing number of accidents this year.
Mr. Chewe, said the union had observed with grave concern, that several mine-workers had lost their lives in separate incidents across the country during the first half of 2026 alone.
He said the death of Mr. Mwananshiku, should serve as a wake-up call to regulators, mine owners and government institutions responsible for safeguarding workers.
Mr. Chewe, challenged the Minerals Regulation Commission, mine owners, contractors and the Ministry of Mines and Mineral development, to immediately strengthen safety enforcement and accountability mechanisms.
He further called on mining companies to invest more heavily in Occupational Health and safety training, maintenance of their equipment, hazard identification systems and workforce engagement programmes.
Mr. Chewe, warned that unless immediate corrective measures were implemented, Zambia risked undermining efforts to position itself as a globally competitive mining destination.
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