Blast at Zambia copper mine kills 46

LUSAKA - At least 46 people were killed today when a blast tore through an explosives factory at Zambia's Chambishi copper mine, destroying the plant and ripping workers apart, Zambia's mining minister said.

"I cannot explain this tragedy which has killed 46 people so far. The entire plant has been razed. Most people were burned badly while others were just in pieces," he told Reuters by telephone from the mine, 400km north of Lusaka.

Officials said the explosion occurred at an explosives factory on the premises of the Chambishi mine, owned by China's NFC Mining Africa Plc. The mine itself was not effected by the explosion.

The Chinese-owned Bgrimm Explosives Plant is a major supplier of explosives for Chambishi mine and other copper mines in Zambia.

Lembalemba said Bgrimm officials had told him that there were 50 people in the plant at the time of the blast, although other people said there could have been more.

An eyewitness told Reuters by telephone that four people who died were standing more than 100 metres away from the plant when the blast occurred.

"It was such a big explosion that caused extensive damage to an office block which was 100 metres away and killed four people who were standing by," the witness said.

Bgrimm officials were not immediately available for comment.

Chambishi administration manager Xu Ruiyong said a mine rescue team had been joined by rescuers from the two bigger mining units, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mines (MCM).

"Although the accident has happened within our premises, our production has not been affected," he said.

Chambishi officials told Reuters in March that the mine was on course to produce 65,000 tonnes of copper concentrate in 2005, up from 49,054 tonnes in 2004.

NFC Africa is 85 per cent owned by China Non-Ferrous Metals Industries Foreign Engineering and Construction Group (CNFC China). Zambia's ZCCM Holdings Plc holds the remaining 15 per cent stake.

- REUTERS