Mufumbwe Member of Parliament, Elliot Kamondo, has appealed to government to issue small-scale artisanal mining licenses to residents of Mufumbwe District in North-Western Province.
His call follows a tragic incident at the Kakawa Gold Rush site, where a collapsed mining tunnel claimed the lives of eight illegal miners in the early hours of Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
The Zambia Police Service confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday, June 18, stating that the tunnel caved in around 03:00 hours, trapping several miners underground.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Mr. Kamondo emphasized the urgent need to formalize mining operations in the district, saying that the formation of legal mining cooperatives to help prevent further loss of life and eliminate the risks associated with illegal mining.
“It is estimated that between 8 and 15 miners were buried when a tunnel dug beneath an anthill collapsed,” said Mr. Kamondo.
He also called on government to immediately secure the site and remove all illegal miners, warning that failure to act would likely result in more deaths.
Mr. Kamondo further appealed to residents to remain patient and avoid illegal mining activities, stressing that continued defiance only heightens the risk to their lives.
He concluded by calling for the introduction of stringent safety and security measures to ensure that all mining activities in the area are conducted legally, responsibly, and with proper oversight.
By Margaret Mwanza
