ILLEGAL GOLD MINING TUNNEL COLLAPSE KILLS YOUNG MINER

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Posted by admin on February 24, 2026 at 5:45 AM

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A 23‑year‑old man has died after a mining tunnel collapsed at Sasali Gold Mine in Lusangazi District, Eastern Province, while he and others were engaged in illegal gold mining.

Eastern Province police commanding officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the victim as Alex Zulu (23) and said police received the report a day after the collapse. Zulu was trapped beneath tonnes of soil when the tunnel gave way on Saturday around 15:00 hours; five other illegal miners who were with him escaped. Efforts to recover Zulu’s body are ongoing as teams work to access the collapsed pit.

The incident follows a January 2026 directive from Zambia Army Commander Lt‑Gen Geoffrey Zyeele ordering illegal miners to vacate mining sites or face removal by security forces.

Despite the warning and recent mass departures from some sites, authorities say some individuals continue to return to unstable pits, exposing themselves to life‑threatening hazards.

Illegal and artisanal mining often occurs without safety oversight, putting informal workers at high risk of injury or death and creating rescue and recovery challenges for authorities.

The tragedy underscores the need for stronger enforcement of mining regulations, expanded community awareness about mining hazards, and viable livelihood alternatives for those driven to informal mining by poverty.

Authorities face the dual task of preventing illegal activity while ensuring humane, coordinated responses that prioritise life‑saving rescue capacity and post‑incident support for affected families.

Police and rescue teams continue recovery operations at the site.

The incident is likely to renew calls for intensified enforcement, community outreach, and programmes that provide safer economic opportunities for vulnerable populations who turn to illegal mining.