UPPZ urges Chingola miners to be patient over Senseli mine

By NATION REPORTER

THE leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) Charles Chanda has urged illegal miners in Chingola to exercise patience, saying the government’s actions at Senseli Mine are aimed at protecting lives rather than denying people a livelihood.

Mr Chanda, whose party is part of the ruling UPND Alliance, warned miners against believing campaign promises by some political candidates who have pledged to return the Senseli Mine to the local miners, popularly known as “Jerabos.”

Speaking to journalists in Lusaka, Mr Chanda described such promises as misleading, arguing that reopening the mine for illegal mining would put lives at risk.

“Some politicians are promising to give the Senseli Mine back to the Jerabos, but that is a death trap because the area remains dangerous,” he said.

Mr Chanda said President Hakainde Hichilema’s priority was to protect the lives of citizens, which is why the government had intervened to halt illegal mining activities at the site.

He said while many people depended on mining for their livelihoods, operations should only be conducted within the law to guarantee the safety of workers and maximise benefits to the country.

Mr Chanda said legal mining would create decent employment opportunities, improve safety standards and enable both the government and mining operators to contribute meaningfully to national development through taxes and other economic activities.

He added that the government remained committed to supporting miners, but through legal and regulated mining activities that prioritise safety and sustainability.