Five miners who survived being trapped underground for 17 days at Matala Gold Mine in Nangoma Constituency have finally been discharged from Mumbwa District Hospital.
The group was rescued alive on May 19, 2026 after spending more than two weeks underground following the mine incident on May 3. Since their rescue, the miners had been receiving medical attention under close observation.
During a visit to the hospital today, Mines and Minerals Development Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta warned against illegal mining activities, saying the risks involved continue to put lives in danger.
He said incidents like the one at Matala Gold Mine show why communities need to move away from unsafe mining practices and instead work through legal and organised structures.
Kabeta encouraged people in mining areas to form cooperatives and obtain proper mining licences so they can operate safely and within the law. He also urged communities to explore other income-generating activities such as farming instead of risking their lives underground.
The Permanent Secretary added that government remains committed to supporting citizens willing to venture into legal mining activities that follow safety regulations.
Meanwhile, one of the survivors, 26-year-old Morgan Malichi, said the miners had taken up piece work at the mine simply to earn money and support their families.
After surviving the 17-day ordeal underground, Malichi said he was grateful to God for sparing his life.
The Matala Gold Mine incident has continued to spark conversation around illegal mining and the desperate conditions pushing many young people into dangerous work in search of income.