Disaster Management Practices and Occupational Health and Safety in a Large-Scale Mining Operation in Chingola, Zambia: With Reference to the Nchanga Operations of Konkola Copper Mines

The mining sector remains central to the Zambian economy, yet it continues to expose workers to a wide spectrum of hazards capable of escalating into disasters. This study assessed the effectiveness of the disaster management systems and emergency preparedness measures at the Nchanga operations of Konkola Copper Mines in Chingola. A qualitative case study design was adopted, and data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with fifteen purposively selected participants drawn from safety, operational and managerial functions. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically with the assistance of NVivo software, which supported coding, word frequency analysis and the visualisation of emerging patterns. Seven themes were generated, namely hazard identification and risk assessment, emergency preparedness and response planning, safety training and competency development, communication and early warning systems, resource adequacy and emergency equipment, regulatory compliance and safety governance, and barriers to disaster management effectiveness. The findings indicate that the operation maintains a documented and broadly functional disaster management framework anchored on statutory requirements, periodic drills and an established mine rescue capability. Participants nonetheless identified persistent weaknesses relating to inconsistent drill frequency, ageing emergency equipment, uneven communication during shift handovers and a compliance posture that is at times driven more by inspection than by internalised commitment. The study concludes that emergency preparedness at Nchanga is moderately effective but constrained by resource and behavioural factors. It recommends sustained investment in emergency equipment, more frequent scenario-based drills and the deliberate strengthening of a proactive safety culture.