Miners feared dead in Zambia

As many as 10 miners are thought to be dead following a landslide at the Nchanga open pit, near the city of Chingola in north-central Zambia.

Recovery operations are under way, though Benedict Chileshe, a spokesman for operator Konkola Copper Mines, told the British Broadcasting Corp. that no one is expected to have survived the accident.

The mineworkers union and Zambia’s mine safety department are assisting in the recovery operation.

South African-based Anglo American has a 51% interest in Zambia Copper Investment, which owns 65% of Konkola Copper Mines. Anglo acquired its stake last year for US$90 million.

Konkola Copper Mines will invest US$1 billion over the next few years to bring several projects to production, among them Konkola Deep, a high-grade copper prospect near Nchanga.

The Nchanga mine is 400 km north of the capital of Lusaka.