Reliant Mining and Construction & Lubambe Mine (re compensation for injuries, Zambia)
Sources
Snapshot: Lubambe Copper Mine Limited owns and operates the Lubambe underground copper mine located in Chililabombwe District, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Operations began in 2012. In September 2024, four injured workers a lawsuit against Lubambe Copper Mine Limited and its contractor Reliant Mining and Construction, citing gross negligence and breach of statutory duty after a serious underground vehicle accident in April 2024. They claim over K2 million each in compensation, alleging the defendants failed to ensure proper safety, as required under Zambia’s Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015.
On 19 April 2024, four employees of Reliant Mining and Construction were involved in a serious underground accident at Lubambe Copper Mine in Chililabombwe, Zambia. A man carrier vehicle transporting the workers underground lost control and crashed into the haulage, resulting in permanent injuries to all four workers.
In September 2024, the injured workers filed a lawsuit against both Reliant Mining and Lubambe Copper Mine Limited, accusing them of gross negligence and breach of statutory duty. The plaintiffs are seeking over K2 million each in compensation for injuries and loss of livelihoods. They allege that the accident was a direct result of the defendants' failure to provide proper safety measures, as mandated under the Mines and Minerals Development Act No. 11 of 2015.
Lubambe Copper Mine Limited has denied responsibility for the accident, stating that Reliant Mining is contractually obliged to manage its operations within strict safety standards and that the daily supervision of equipment and employees is not their responsibility. Additionally, Lubambe contends that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the driver and that the plaintiffs were not wearing seatbelts, which contributed to the severity of their injuries.
The case is ongoing.