Acid Spill from Chinese-Owned Copper Mine Contaminates Kafue River in Zambia

A severe acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has contaminated the Kafue River, threatening water supplies for millions. The incident stemmed from a tailings dam collapse, resulting in heavy metal contamination. Authorities and the mine’s chairman have expressed concern and apologies, highlighting the spill’s significant ecological and public health risks.

A significant environmental disaster has occurred at a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia, with authorities and environmentalists expressing grave concerns about the repercussions on the Kafue River, a critical waterway in the nation. According to the Associated Press, an estimated 50 million liters of toxic waste, containing concentrated acid and heavy metals, leaked from the Chambishi copper mine into tributaries that feed into the Kafue River. This incident was triggered by the collapse of the mine’s tailings dam on February 18, which is managed by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group.

Zambia’s leaders, including President Hakainde Hichilema, have reacted strongly to this crisis, calling on experts to assess the situation. He identified the leak as a critical issue affecting both human populations and local wildlife along the Kafue River. Additionally, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation expressed its concerns regarding the spill’s catastrophic impact, particularly the potential for ground water contamination and subsequent destruction of agricultural crops in the river’s vicinity.

Investigations by AP reporters revealed that numerous dead fish were found along the river banks approximately 100 kilometers downstream from the mine, highlighting the immediate ecological effects of the spill. As approximately 60% of Zambia’s population resides in the Kafue River basin—relying on it for drinking water—the ramifications are extensive, with the local water supply already disrupted for cities such as Kitwe, home to around 700,000 residents.

In response, the chairman of Sino-Metals Leach Zambia has met with government officials and issued an apology for the incident, assuring that the company will make every effort to remedy the environmental damage inflicted by the acid spill. His commitment was documented in a transcript released by the company, emphasizing their intent to restore the affected ecosystems with urgency.

The recent acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has raised significant environmental and health concerns, particularly regarding the Kafue River. With the incident affecting essential water supplies and local fisheries, it poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of millions of Zambians. The mine’s ownership has expressed regret, yet the long-term ecological impact of such a disaster remains uncertain and demands immediate and effective remediation efforts.

Original Source: www.mining.com