The Zambia Environmental Management Authority (ZEMA) has ordered Mopani copper Mine to suspend part of its operations. ZEMA said it had inspected the site and that heap leaching—a process that involves metals being leached from a heap of crushed ore by applying acid to it—couldn’t be resumed until the company had completed eight recommended measures to reduce its effect on the surrounding area.
ZEMA said local residents in Butondo had complained that acid mist from the leaching process causes health problems and they were seeking compensation from Mopani. The Butondo community complained of noise from the crusher, cracking of houses, vibrations, and dust, the statement said.
“According to health records obtained from Clinics in Butondo, statistics show an increase in the number of cases for pulmonary, throat, nose and ear ailments which were captured between October and December 2011 as compared with the 2008 data for the same months,” the statement said.
A Glencore spokesman said in a statement that Glencore was “surprised” by the suspension of a part of its Mopani mine, particularly since the Zambian Government had renewed the mine’s license only two weeks ago following an inspection and clean bill of health in early February.
“Mopani’s heap leach project has been operating since 2007. It has been properly and closely monitored by the relevant authorities and has always been given a clean bill of health, meeting or exceeding the terms of its license,” it added.
Glencore said it would work quickly to resolve the matter, noting that the decision to suspend part of the mine’s operations may have been related to unsubstantiated reports in the local press.
The partial closure has affected 300 jobs and 1.5% of Mopani’s annual copper production capacity.
Among the demands in the suspension order from the ZEMA are that Mopani erect acid mist barriers to minimize the “down-wind effects of acid mist and vapor,” and measures to reduce noise pollution from the crusher plant.
Mopani must also prepare a comprehensive environmental and social management plan for the heap leach process which ZEMA must approve.
The suspension came into force with immediate effect, according to the ZEMA statement from March 1.
WSJ
The affected resident of Mutondo must sue this company for serious compensantion. In developed countries this is serious money the mine would have paid. Check out the compensation BP is coughing up in the USA – Billions of Dollars!!!
Zambians will for ever remain poor because they do not know their rights. Clean Bill of health means CORRUPTION I suppose????
The action taken by ZEMA seems to be severe and unilateral. There also seems to be an element of surprise in this case, which should not be the case. There needs to be an atmosphere of partnership amongst the stakeholders, instead of master-slave mentallity. Remember that the area needs economic activity, although this should not be done at the cost of peoples health.
Another thing to consider is the acurracy of the data used to arrive at the decision. Is this decision as a result of some excited officials at ZEMA? Will the proposed changes actually achieve the desired goals?
I would have asked the company to come up with a plan in a set period as well as order them to put in mitigation measures immediately. Terminating operations looks extreme and may not be the best solution
Mary you have no clue about the implication of the mining methods chosen. it is my beleif that the mining company continued to obtain a clean bill because of “connection” or should I say corruption. The long term effects of those mist far out weigh the cost. Further more ZEMA has compentent staff who can advise effectively. By the way please take not of the following:
1. If you can smell the fumes from a factory, it usually means the emmisions are well above the legal limits.
2. If you can see some smoke out of stack, it also means that the emmision out of that stack are well above the limits.
3. Technology exist that can address these emmission to acceptable levels. Filtration rather than simply supression is the best way.
My apologies for having misrepresented myself to you over your knowledge in the mining industry. I agree with you (and if fact that is the way it is done I think) that ZEMA must work with the industry to ensure compliance to enviromental regualtions. A know-it-all stance from ZEMA will actually work against the regulator itself. ZEMA must brand itself as a partner with the industry to ensure ensure sustainable enviromental management. Penalties and closures must be the last resort from ZEMA indeed, but MUST be applied to deter certain companies. However, as you may be aware, most busineses focus on the bottom line and if they avoid paying for the damage they cause to the environment, the better for their bottom. This could be achieved legtimately or by crockedness.
I could have liked to have a more detailed discussion with you, but this is the wrong forum. I could end up contaminating other peoples minds with my knowledge in this area. LT should allow for private discussion, since at times it is not good for certain information to be public, to be fair to all parties involved.
It is good to see that ZEMA is getting its act together, but the important thing as you pointed out is to be partners with the polluting company. After all, if the company closes up, there will not be work for everybody. Including them.
Sorry for the 300 jobs affected but who renewed the mine’s license in February and two weeks later suspend the mines operations?? Its a sign of incompetence on the inspectors and those chaps must be sorted out for inconveniencing the mine and the 300 at-large not forgetting the affected butondo residents
Lets not relent and ensure that our environmental protection regulations are followed and implemented. These multinational companies do not care about the local people in the area of their operation and have taken Zambia for a ride.
The ZEMA are also dragging their feet in issuing clearance to a chinese company that wants to set up a $700 million mine in chambeshi.Whilst we appreciate the work they ZEMA are doing,that should not be at the expense of economic development.In the case of shutting down part of Mopani mine,the entire country might be affected .I prefer dialogue with the mining companies so that we do not affect economic development while maintaining a clean environment.It is unfair to the families of the 300 affected miners,especially that this matter can be resolved amicably.
How much does it cost to loose life? How much does it cost to kill a person. If just talking to them and asking them to put in mitigation measures as some people have said here is what it cost, then life should be very cheap. Ask BP, what it costs to pollute an environment. Is it because this is Africa? We are all equal in the eyes of God. Wether black,yellow, orange,white or green as KK would say, we are all Human beings and deserve to exist in a conducive environment.
Mary you have no clue about the implication of the mining methods chosen. it is my beleif that the mining company continued to obtain a clean bill because of “connection” or should I say corruption. The long term effects of those mist far out weigh the cost. Further more ZEMA has compentent staff who can advise effectively. By the way please take not of the following:
1. If you can smell the fumes from a factory, it usually means the emmisions are well above the legal limits.
2. If you can see some smoke out of stack, it also means that the emmision out of that stack are well above the limits.
3. Technology exist that can address these emmission to acceptable levels. Filtration rather than simply supression is the best way.
How do you know that I have no clue about mining? I have been involved in the industry for over 10 years and I have done some studies in environmental management. If you look at my posting, I am discussing the process that the regulator is using to address this problem. It is best to work with the polluting company together, instead of just telling them what to do. Also if this company has been doing this since 2007, how can they solve it overnight? The issue is you do not close operations just because you have the powers. That is Kambwili mentality. It may have been best to put them on notice while they experiment the best methods to use for mitigation. Remember, the company understands the processes better than the regulator. It is also important to set a minimum allowable emissions
There should be workshops and seminars carried out on topics such as “respect for the communities” for all these companies so that Zambians don’t lose their lives just because someone is being greedy. We should also educate our citizens over their rights. Thumbs up ZEMA. I am going to a conference about Community and the Environment right now. This article is so nice.
Guys I grew up in Butondo although Iam now abroad. Can you explain to me whether this pollution is different from what we used to call center. This center thing always left the townships in a blue mist from the copper being smelt in the mines. We were never compensated for it but I guess the Mine Clinics must have been keeping stats of how many of us visited clinics then
Mopani is a heavy polluter and records and annual reports are there with alarming figures in water pollution, ground pollution and air pollution . What’s surprising is that u do an correct annual report and only to see your boss diffusing figure so as to make the report within the ZEMA limits. Polluters are not to blame but Regulators. These mining firms regulate themselves and ZEMA has no capacity to Carter for all the industries.
Mary, my apologies for having misrepresented myself to you over your knowledge in the mining industry. I agree with you (and if fact that is the way it is done I think) that ZEMA must work with the industry to ensure compliance to enviromental regualtions. A know-it-all stance from ZEMA will actually work against the regulator itself. ZEMA must brand itself as a partner with the industry to ensure ensure sustainable enviromental management. Penalties and closures must be the last resort from ZEMA indeed, but MUST be applied to deter certain companies. However, as you may be aware, most busineses focus on the bottom line and if they can avoid paying for the damage they cause to the environment, the better for their bottom. This could be achieved legtimately or by crockedness.
I dont agree with some of you who think the action by ZEMA is unfair on the mines in mufulira because you are just talking on the economic point of view and disregarding human life..Some of you woudnt even last a life in butondo let alone kankoyo coz i know that place quite well..the SENTA my brother refered to is sulphur dioxide and its intoxicating ..Let mopani find a solution to diffuse those emmisions thats all. Which economy where those who toil for it dont even live to benefit.Ask BP which is paying heavily for fishes and birds in the mexican gulf.What about Butondo and Kankoyo where people live.Have a sense of shame
I feel the action taken be ZEMA should be commended. Zambians should not be easily blackmailed with loss of jobs. These companies should just do the right thing and not take us for granted. ZEMA renewed the license two weeks earlier because the company was meeting the standards. But you know what mopani did later, they relaxed thinking they were safe. Even with a license you still have to follw the rules.
The one talking about ZEMA dragging its feet to approve a chinese company’s proposal, they are looking out for you and the future of your children. Dont be short sited. Have you forgotten what happened at Kafue Steel Plant? Whatever we do today, lets not compromise the future of our children and their children.
Well done ZEMA and keep it up!