SOME small scale miners in Chingola District clashed with Zambia police officers yesterday morning when they were denied access to the tailings dam at the infamous Sensele open pit mine. Police officers, equipped with full riot shields, sealed off the mines following the authorities’ decision to close the open pit, which has recorded some mine accidents in the recent past. Confusion erupted when the miners were informed that they could not access the open pit mine until further notice. Subsequently, they gathered at the office of the Chingola District Commissioner, Raphael Chimupi, who was reportedly out of town during the event. Those spoken to explained that the small-scale miners’ decision to protest was prompted by the state police’s action of...