A catastrophic acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia has contaminated the Kafue River, threatening local ecosystems and water supplies. The incident, caused by a tailings dam collapse, has led to significant environmental damage and raised urgent concerns from government officials. The mine’s chairman has offered apologies and pledged to restore affected areas, but immediate threats to public health remain severe.
A significant acid spill from the Chinese-owned Chambishi copper mine in Zambia has raised serious environmental concerns. Approximately 50 million liters of toxic waste, including concentrated acid and heavy metals, have contaminated streams connected to the Kafue River, a crucial waterway for the country. The tailings dam failure occurred on February 18 and has prompted urgent action from local authorities and environmentalists alike.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has expressed extreme concern regarding the crisis, stating it poses a threat to both human and wildlife populations along the Kafue. The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation highlighted potential long-term effects, including the contamination of groundwater and detrimental impacts on local agriculture, noting the spill’s “devastating consequences.”
Reports from AP investigators found dead fish on the riverbanks nearly 100 kilometers downstream, underscoring the severe environmental toll. Approximately 60% of Zambia’s population lives in the Kafue River basin, relying on it for drinking water, including five million residents in Lusaka. As a result of the spill, water supply to Kitwe, a city housing approximately 700,000 people, has been suspended.
In response to the incident, the chairman of Sino-Metals Leach Zambia met with government officials and apologized, pledging that the company would “go all out to restore the affected environment as quickly as possible.” This commitment to remediation comes amidst growing public concern and scrutiny regarding the management of natural resources in Zambia.
The acid spill from the Chambishi copper mine highlights significant environmental risks and public health concerns associated with industrial practices in Zambia. The immediate effects on the Kafue River threaten the livelihood of millions, prompting urgent responses from government officials and the mine’s management. The situation demands attention to both remediation efforts and future prevention of similar incidents.
Original Source: www.mining.com
