The Zambian government has scheduled Monday, December 11 for a mass burial for nine miners who were retrieved from the Seseli Copper Mine which collapsed on December 1 in Chingola, northwest of Lusaka, where over 35 miners were trapped.

Copperbelt Minister, Elias Matambo, who announced the plans during a media briefing in Chingola on Sunday, said President Hakainde Hichilema would attend the mass burial.

Matambo also stated that the number of miners retrieved in the rescue mission had reached 12, with only one retrieved alive. He said two had been buried in the last two days, and nine more bodies were lying in the hospital mortuary.

“In the last 24 hours, we have retrieved five bodies making the total number of miners retrieved to 12. We buried two, we are remaining with nine who we intend to bury in a mass burial where President Hichilema is likely to attend,” Matambo.

Also speaking, Mines and Mineral Development Minister, Paul Kabuswe, said the rescue team would continue working round the clock to retrieve the remaining trapped miners.

The December 1 mine collapse was attributed to a landslide that inundated an open-pit copper mine.

According to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, the miners were reportedly engaged in illegal mining at the location without the knowledge of the mine owners.

The mine was previously owned by Vedanta’s Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) but is now in the hands of a local company that has yet to start mining operations as it awaits safety and environmental approvals.

Despite initial teething problems and the harrowing hardship Nigerians are going through, President Bola Armed Tinubu has restated his commitment and desire to deliver effective leadership and governance to citizens.

Tinubu, who made the vow during the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at Kuru in Jos, Plateau State, on Saturday, said as a responsible and responsive leader, his main desire was to ensure that Nigerians got to enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, stated that he had not only heard the cries of Nigerians, but that he had also taken it upon himself to lead in a responsible manner.

“As a responsible or responsive government, it is our burning desire to provide good governance at both national and sub-national level, as encapsulated in our Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu said.

“Though Nigeria is going through several challenges at the moment, the challenges are not insurmountable.

“I, therefore, wish to remind the National Institute that so much has gone into training. These include confidence finance, and effort from the faculty and yourselves.

“Please, do not let the nation down as much as expected from you as you return to serve the nation through your various offices.

“Congratulations for producing excellent and workable recommendations. The government buys into your mission towards a better society as is ever willing or ready to support you in achieving it for our nation and people.

“I use this special moment to urge you to continue in this trend, as our government is ready to give you all the necessary support to achieve on your mandate.

“I applaud you on your efforts at engaging the best brands to provide workable solutions to critical national issues, which have been useful in resolving several national issues, even in the face of limited resources,” he added.