Zambian gov't mourns 3 electrocuted miners

The Zambian government on Friday expressed sadness over the death of three miners who were electrocuted while working at an underground mine.

The miners were electrocuted at Glencore's subsidiary, Mopani Copper Mines' underground mine in Mufulira town in the Copperbelt Province on Wednesday night while installing water pumps.

Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili said the government was saddened over the deaths and has since directed management to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the accident.

"Early investigations show that the incident happened while five electricians were working to control the rising water level. The three miners working on the same level were electrocuted during this task," he said.

The government spokesperson added that management at the mine had assured that all production-related activities were suspended in order to access and understand the factors contributing to the incident.

The Mineworkers Union of Zambia, a union representing workers in the mining industry, has also expressed concern over the spate of accidents in mining firms, according to its president Nkole Chishimba.

In July last year, four miners died at the same mine after a rock fall. Endit