This tragic incident has taken a toll on one family in particular, with six of the deceased belonging to the same household
Eight dead, one missing after mine collapse in Zambia’s copperbelt Read More »
Zambia’s former first lady Esther Lungu was arrested and charged with possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime and money laundering offences Wednesday by the country’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). DEC spokesman Allan Tamba said this is in relation to ongoing investigations into her ownership of several properties. “Mrs. Esther Lungu has since been released on police bond pending court proceedings,” Tamba said in a statement issued in the capital, Lusaka. Her lawyer, Charles Changano, also confirmed the arrest to Anadolu. On the property-related charge, Changano said this was in relation to a property his client possesses in a Lusaka suburb. He said the second charge was that of money laundering for hiring a third party and that she had denied both charges. ”So she has been granted extended bond and we have been told that we may be called again, as this matter is under ongoing investigation,” Changano said after his client underwent questioning in Lusaka.
Former Zambian 1st lady arrested on money laundering charges Read More »
A deadly mine accident in Zambia has claimed the lives of eight informal miners. The incident occurred at an open-pit copper mine in Chingola.
Eight miners killed in Zambia mine collapse Read More »
In addition to the fatalities, twelve other individuals sustained injuries, with five of them being transferred to the capital, Lusaka, for medical treatment
Zambia mourns seven footballers tragically killed in bus accident Read More »
First Quantum Minerals is actively seeking potential partners for its Zambian mining assets, with Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals being a frontrunner for a minority stake acquisition.
First Quantum seeks partners for Zambian assets Read More »
Zambia is grappling with a climate-related energy crisis that has severely diminished its power supply. Frustrated residents are even transporting their entire desktop computers to local cafes to work. The country is experiencing unprecedented electricity blackouts due to a severe drought that has left the Kariba dam, the source of much of its power, with critically low water levels. This massive dam, built in the 1950s, was intended to provide a sustainable source of hydroelectric power by harnessing the Zambezi River. However, prolonged drought conditions, worsened by the El Niño weather pattern and rising temperatures, have pushed Zambia’s hydroelectric capacity to the brink of collapse. Currently, only one of the six turbines at the dam can operate, generating less than 10% of its normal output. With over 80% of Zambia’s electricity coming from Kariba, residents often experience just a few hours of power each day, and some areas go days without any electricity. The situation is particularly detrimental to small businesses, which struggle to operate during daylight hours. Tindor Sikunyongana, who runs a welding business, expressed his frustration, noting that his generator ran out of diesel while he was speaking. He has tried to mitigate the impact by investing in a diesel generator, but the cost of fuel is often prohibitive. Experts warn that Zambia’s heavy reliance on hydroelectric power has left it vulnerable. Geoffrey Chiyumbe, Vice Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Engineering Institute of Zambia, noted the risks of depending on hydro for 85% of the energy supply and emphasized the need for a more diverse energy mix to prevent crises like the current one. At the Kariba dam, the 128-meter-high wall is nearly exposed, with a reddish-brown stain marking where the water once flowed in better times over a decade ago.
Zambia faces severe energy crisis as drought drains Kariba dam Read More »
The World Health Organization has declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time.
Mpox cases surge in Africa despite vaccines Read More »
Zambia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China on Monday to establish the southern African nation’s first cholera vaccine manufacturing plant. The project’s first phase will cost $37 million, with about three million doses expected to be produced through a joint venture between Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Jijia International Medical Technology Corporation. Speaking during the signing ceremony for the agreement at State House in the capital Lusaka, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said the development was a key step in the country’s quest to eradicate the disease, which took away productivity as a result of affecting citizens. “We are also sending a signal that Zambia, Africa and the globe are able to work together. Zambia must be looked at as a center, as a location to manufacture for a bigger market. And if you look at the population of Africa, it is growing very rapidly,” Hichilema was quoted as saying on state television. Hichilema said he expected the project to be commercially viable, adding there was no room for bureaucracy in its implementation, as it was lifesaving. He added that ahead of the manufacturing, China would donate about three million doses of the cholera vaccine. Cholera is perennial in the southern African nation, especially during the rainy season, and while curable, it also claims lives.
Zambia and China sign MOU for Africa’s first cholera vaccine plant Read More »
Ten miners were reported dead, and five others survived with injuries after a mine pit they were quarrying in collapsed, trapping an undisclosed number of people under the debris. The incident occurred at the Luili gold mine in Mumbwa District, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) west of Zambian capital of Lusaka on Monday. “An unknown number of people went to conduct mining activities at the pit this morning and during the course of their activities, the earth collapsed on them,” Charity Chanda, the police commissioner for Central Province, said in a statement. “Rescue efforts led to the recoveries of six miners with injuries, while nine were confirmed dead on the spot. Unfortunately, one of the six injured miners later succumbed to his injuries at Nangoma mission hospital,” said the statement. Chanda said that efforts to rescue any remaining miners trapped under the debris were still underway, and the injured miners were receiving treatment at Nangoma Mission Hospital, which is located nearby. Nangoma Member of Parliament Collins Nzovu, who is also the country’s Minister for Water Development and Sanitation, revealed that the number of miners still trapped under the debris was five. Nzovu told reporters during his visit to the site that he had since directed the suspension of all mining activities at the quarry. While officially opening the inaugural Zambia Mining and Investment Insaka in Lusaka on Monday, Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema cautioned against unsafe mining practices, urging citizens interested in the sector to ensure they obtain licenses to conduct mining in a safe and legal environment.
10 die in Zambia mine collapse Read More »
The Kansanshi mine, which produced over 134,000 tonnes of copper and nearly 69,000 ounces of gold last year, has experienced previous safety incidents
First Quantum halts operations at Zambia mine after fatal accident Read More »
