You are our shelter,
our protector and defender, O God.
You always intervene whenever challenges arise.
Thus, we will not be afraid
Despite the climate change,
Even if cyclone or floods occur
And Black Mountain* collapses.
You are the source of hope and grace
Which every creature depends upon.
We, your church, because of your presence
Shall not be moved.
Your word O God ceases confusion.
You dwell with us, God of our ancestors.
Perceive how terrifying the acts of God are.
Amen.
This interpretation of Psalm 46 was written cooperatively by a group of First Year Bachelor of Theology students (BTH 1) at the United Church of Zambia University, Kitwe: Abraham Chishimba, Dean Mulenga, Danny Mbangweta, Ian Kapembwa and Joseph Chimba.
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| Black Mountain, Lusaka Times photo |
June 2018, reported by the Zambia Daily Mail, Fatal climb at Black Mountain http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/fatal-climb-at-black-mountain/: The county’s spotlight turned on Kitwe’s most visible structure – the copper slug dump famously known as the ‘Black Mountain’. Part of the mineral-rich ‘rubbish’ collapsed on several men who were hand-picking the chrome, leaving 11 dead while eight are still battling for lives in hospital....
The disaster has sparked a fresh debate on the safety or lack of it during the operations at the copper and cobalt rich dump site. There seems to be unanimous consensus by stakeholders on serious safety flaws at the site.
Safety alarm bells were first rung last month when a blasting operation at the Black Mountain by the small-scale miners went wrong, leaving shattered windows and cracked walls in some nearby houses.
Weeks later, an amateur video was circulated on social media where part of the slag dump was crumbling down while hand-pickers were rushing to the scene to pick the chrome.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Richard Musukwa assured the nation that the Black Mountain was safe for people operating there, but his assurance failed the reality test....
27 Sept 2018, reported by Lusaka Times, Disaster looming as illegal Miners invade two Black Mountains in Luanshya
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/09/27/disaster-looming-as-illegal-miners-invade-two-black-mountains-in-luanshya/
A disaster is looming at the Luanshya Copper Mines where hundreds of illegal miners armed with picks and steel rods are risking their lives by digging for copper and chrome at one of the mine’s two Black Mountains.
The illegal miners, who are mostly youths, have over the past months dug several underground caves in search for copper and chrome in unsafe conditions.
One of the leaders of the illegal miners’ Bernard Mulenga, who is commonly known as PISTO, says the small-scale miners risk their lives in search of a living.
Mr. Mulenga says through illegal mining, they make money to feed their families and take children to school. He told ZNBC News that despite the dangers of being buried alive, poverty forces them to do illegal work to raise money.
Another illegal miner Evans Kabanda has asked President Edgar Lungu to consider giving the copper rich slug dump in Luanshya to the youths. Mr. Kabanda said just like he did to the youths of Kitwe, President LUNGU should consider empowering youths in Luanshya with the two Black Mountains to reduce unemployment in the mining town.
But Luanshya District Commissioner Joel Chibuye, who recently visited the site, expressed concern that the continued illegal mining at Luanshya Copper Mines may be fatal. Mr. Chibuye said government is now working out plans to find ways in which the youths can be helped to avoid illegally digging minerals in unsafe caves.
23 April 2019, reported in Lusaka Times, More Black Mountains to be given to Youths https://www.lusakatimes.com/2019/04/23/more-black-mountains-to-be-given-to-youths-mines-minister/
Mines Minister Richard Musukwa says the ministry is in the process of identifying more slug dump sites also known as Black Mountains in a bid to empower youths for them to generate income.
Hon. Musukwa says the ministry is currently in discussion with various mining companies over the same matter. He says modalities are being worked on to ensure youths access all the slug dump sites in the country. He has since called on youths to exercise patience as Government negotiates for them to occupy some slug dump sites.
And the Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia is pleased with Government and President Edgar Lungu’s desire to empower young people. Association Spokesperson Samson Mpembwe says government gave youths a percentage at the black mountain in Kitwe which has since been exhausted.
Mr. Mpembwe has since urged Government to give young people another percentage at the Black Mountain.
Prayers for today...
Please pray for the youth of Zambia, especially those unable to find lucrative and safe employment.
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Ana's Zambia Journey blog link: https://zambiajourney.blogspot.com/