By ROGERS KALERO
A TWENTY-NINE year old illegal miner has died after being buried alive, while another escaped unhurt after the two invaded Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Slug dump at Nkana Mine South Ore Body in Wusakile township of Kitwe.
Copperbelt Police Commissioner Peacewell Mweemba said Raphael Mwansa 29, of Kandabwe township died in a pit at KCM slug dump following the collapse of its walls ,while his colleague Gift Musonda 29 also of Kandabwe escaped unhurt and reported the matter to mine authorities.
Mr Mweemba said the fatal accident, which happened on Monday around 13.30 hours was reported by Humphrey Shakalyata 52, a mine police officer in charge of investigations
Mr Mweemba said, while the two were in the pit, the walls of the pit collapsed and buried Mwansa in the rocky mine soil while Musonda managed to escape.
He said later Police with officers from KCM visited the pit, which measured approximately 5 meters deep.
Mr Mweemba said the body was deposited in the Kitwe Teaching Hospital (KTH) mortuary awaiting postmortem examination.
