33-Year-Old Miner Dies in Underground Accident at Mopani Copper Mine Mufulira
By Staff Reporter,
Police in Mufulira have reported a fatal underground mining accident at Mopani Copper Mines involving 33-year-old Benson Kapembwa, of house number 106 Maina Soko Avenue, Mufulira.
The body was discovered on February 3, 2026, at the 1040-meter level of the mine, two days after he went missing. Mr. Kapembwa, a dump truck operator employed by Meeches Mining through SKT Global, had reported for work on February 1 and did not return home the following day.
Copperbelt Police deputy commissioner Geddy Divayi tells Mafken News in a statement, that his absence prompted concern from his wife, who inquired with his colleagues and discovered that he had not surfaced that day.
Ms. Divayi says a search team discovered him underground at the 1040-meter level of the Mopani Mufulira plan in a sitting position inside the dump truck machine. He was taken to Malcom Watson Mine Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An inquiry file has been opened, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing. Police say more information will be provided as it becomes available.
