Mopani Copper Mines yesterday started backfilling a sinkhole near the South Ore Body in Kitwe as a safety measure in line with its security regulations. The backfilling exercise started around 14:45 hours and will continue throughout the weekend. This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by Mopani Copper Mines’ public relations unit. “Mopani Copper Mines Plc is working closely with the Mines Safety Department, Zambia Police Service and other relevant authorities during this operation,” the statement reads in part.

The sinkhole is a twohectare curving area within the company’s mining rights area, which is a safety hazard to informal miners invading it. On Tuesday, an attempt by Mopani Copper Mines to bury the sinkhole in Kitwe’s Chamboli Township, where youths do mining activities, backfired when the residents rioted against the decision