MRC ARRESTS INDIAN NATIONAL OVER EXPLOSIVES, SHUTS DOWN FOUR MINES IN MPIKA

By Francis Chipalo A 31-year-old Indian national has been arrested in Mpika District for illegal possession of explosives, following an operation by the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC). The suspect was allegedly found with more than 20 boxes of explosives concealed underneath two beds in two separate rooms, without requisite documentation and approved storage arrangements. The […]

By Francis Chipalo

A 31-year-old Indian national has been arrested in Mpika District for illegal possession of explosives, following an operation by the Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC).

The suspect was allegedly found with more than 20 boxes of explosives concealed underneath two beds in two separate rooms, without requisite documentation and approved storage arrangements.

The arrest was made during a regulatory compliance inspection conducted by MRC inspectors in the Kanyerere area of Mpika District, Muchinga Province.

Following the inspection, the Commission has suspended operations at four mining and mineral processing companies for serious breaches of mining and safety regulations.

The affected operations are Newtown Youth Advocate Mine, Empirical Trading, Jatana Mineral Resources and Ishinadwusa Processing Company.

Newtown Youth Advocate Mine is owned by Zambians, Empirical Trading is owned by a Somali investor, Jatana Mineral Resources is operated by a Chinese company, while Ishinadwusa Processing Company is operated by Indian nationals.

MRC Public Relations Officer, Michelo Malungisa said the enforcement action follows findings of breaches relating to mine safety, underground mine development and illegal possession and storage of explosives.

Malungisa warned that the unauthorised possession, handling and storage of explosives is a serious regulatory and safety matter that poses significant risk to workers, surrounding communities and property.

She emphasized that any person or operator authorised to handle explosives must fully comply with legal requirements, including obtaining requisite licences and approvals, ensuring personnel are appropriately trained and storing explosives only in properly constructed and approved magazines.

The Commission also inspected the Newtown Youth Cooperative mining site and established that the cooperative had sunk a shaft approximately 60 metres deep, with workers conducting underground mining through tunnels without appropriate technical expertise and safety standards.

Malungisa said sinking, developing and operating underground mines requires engineering controls and adherence to approved safety standards to safeguard workers and ensure stability of underground workings.

She said the Commission has directed cooperatives holding artisanal mining licences to strictly adhere to licence conditions.

The MRC has warned that non-compliance with mining laws will not be tolerated and will continue to conduct inspections and take enforcement action against operators found operating outside the law.