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Disclaimer: Sensitive Content 21-Year-Old Illegal Gold Miner Dies after Pit Collapses in Mpika

A 21-year-old man has died after a gold mining pit collapsed on him at Kayelele...

Zambia24 Published 19 October 2026, 17:34 CAT • 4 hours ago 2 min read

Disclaimer: Sensitive Content 21-Year-Old Illegal Gold Miner Dies after Pit Collapses in Mpika

A 21-year-old man has died after a gold mining pit collapsed on him at Kayelele Gold Mine in Chief Chikwanda’s area of Mpika District.

Muchinga Province Police Commanding Officer Lubinda Mayamba confirmed the sudden and unnatural death to Diamond TV.

Police say the incident occurred on 16th October, 2026, at around 18:00 hours.

According to police, Mathews Kangwa, 39, of Mutemangala Village in Chitimukulu Chiefdom, Kasama District, reported that his younger brother, Shame Kangwa, 21, of the same residence, died after the walls of a mining pit collapsed on him.

Brief facts indicate that on 8th September, 2026, the reporter, his younger brother and Christopher Mwila went to Kayelele Gold Mine to engage in illegal gold mining activities.

Lakatips

On 17th October, 2026, at around 11:00 hours, the deceased and Mwila reportedly proceeded to a gold pit to conduct mining activities.

While working inside the pit, Mwila briefly came out to smoke. While outside, he noticed that the section where his colleague was working had collapsed.

He rushed to seek assistance from members of the public, who mobilised and began rescue operations.

The body was retrieved at around 15:00 hours on the same day and taken to Mpika Police Station, where the matter was formally reported.

Police inspected the body and observed dust and a cut on the face.

Mr Mayamba said a Brought In Dead (BID) certificate had been issued and the body deposited at Mpika Urban Clinic Mortuary, awaiting a postmortem examination and burial.

Source: Zambia24 — Read more