Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo has announced that families of the 5 Zambian miners still trapped at the Macrolink Resources Mine will each receive K15, 000 for logistics while rescue attempts are underway.
The mines safety department has also indicated that once all preliminary rescue measures are completed, emergency workers will be able to pump out the water from the shaft within five hours.
Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo who met the families at the accident scene yesterday explained that the money is not compensation but meant to assist them with logistics.
Meanwhile, rescue efforts are however being hampered as the aquifer that burst causing the influx of water remains unattended to while the technical team is also worried about the shaft curving-in following excavation works that may have disturbed the shaft walls prior to the accident.
According to Engineer Yoram Chuulu of the Mines Safety Department, the rescue team was able to send a camera approximately 150 metres into the shaft and may require the assistance of a diver as an alternative.
PHOENIX NEWS