Mwense District Commissioner Happystone Mwape says government is working towards resolving complaints presented by residents of  Mwense’s Chebele area who presented reports of mine blasting by E-zed mine damaging their infrastructure.

Mr Mwape said this when he briefed the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMMC) meeting and called for the safety of the residents to be prioritized.

Recently, residents at Chebele Primary School complained that some staff houses have developed cracks following the mine blasting activities at the mine

The DC acknowledged that though the Mine which is producing high-grade copper will contribute to job creation for the locals as well as help accelerate economic growth in the district, there is also need to prioritize the safety of the people and infrastructure in the surrounding areas.

“As government we prioritize the safety of the learners and other affected community members and we will see to it that our people are protected as we also keep in mind the importance of the mine to our district’s economic growth and wealth creation,” Mr Mwape said.

Mr Mwape stated that there was need for all stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, the Local Authority, Traditional leaders and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to come up with a decision that will resolve the matter fairly.

And according to correspondence in response to the concerns raised by school management at Chebele primary school and availed to ZANIS, E-ZED Mines indicated that blasting would only be done over the weekends and during holidays to avoid disrupting lessons for learners.


The mining company has also expressed willingness to build a new school as a form of compensation to the affected community once alternative land is identified for relocation of Chebele Primary School which is currently within the stipulated radius for mining activities.