Illegal copper mining accidents in chingola: a case report

Chingola is a mining town and the mining activities have been going on for a long time. It was founded in 1943 when the Nchanga Mine was started up. It is a town in Zambia in the province of the Copperbelt. In terms of development, Chingola is rated as the 5th most developed cities in Zambia. There are two hospitals: The Nchanga North General Hospital which is Governments owned and the Nchanga South Hospital is a privately owned hospital. In Chingola there is a high level of unemployment which has led to illegal mining activities in the district which is a problem. There are many Newspaper reports but very few research and medical reports have been written. There has been reports of illegal miners who have died as a result of copper mining. We present a male resident of Chingola. The patient was injured after a rock fall during an illegal mining expedition. The patient had craniotomy which was done via Burr holes and the hematoma was drained. He was saved but has ended up with a right hemiplegia. What is really worrisome is the number of victims who get injured and are maimed for life with no legal / government requirements to look after them following ‘mining’ accidents.