Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has announced a fatal incident at its Nchanga smelter in Chingola that occurred Thursday evening involving a 42-year-old contracted worker.

In a statement, Friday, KCM public relations & communications manager Shapi Shachinda explained that Gabbitas Syachipula, a scaffolder and roof fixer, who was working for a contractor company, Dontech, was involved in a fatal incident where he fell as he attempted to fix a roof sheet at the smelter.

“KCM regrets to announce a fatal incident at Nchanga smelter in Chingola, which occurred at about 18:15 hours on Thursday 13th June, 2019, involving 42-year old Mr Gabbitas Syachipula, a scaffolder and roof fixer who was working for a contractor company, Dontech. Mr Syachipula fell from height as he attempted to fix a roof sheet at the smelter where he was working along with a colleague, who temporarily moved away from the site at the time of the incident. He was stabilized and evacuated to Nchanga South Hospital where he died a few hours after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit,” stated Shachinda.

“The deceased is survived by a wife and two children. KCM management has expressed sadness at the demise and will assist the deceased family during this difficult period. All work at Nchanga smelter has been halted, while investigations – involving the local emergency services and police, the mine safety department, our representative trade unions and senior KCM management and operations structures – are underway. Our deepest condolences go out to the deceased’s family, friends and colleagues and to the entire KCM team.”