Government has expressed deep concern over ongoing pollution of the nation’s waterways, particularly in the Copperbelt region, and has vowed to hold mining companies accountable for environmental damage.
Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha has called for stricter oversight of storage facilities, including tailings dams, after multiple pollution incidents linked to mining operations. Speaking during a visit to Mimbula Mine in Chingola, Mr. Mposha emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures following the collapse of an emergency heap leaching pond, which led to contamination of the Chabanyama stream.
The government has taken decisive action in response to another major environmental incident—the recent acid spill in the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers on Feb. 18. The spill, attributed to Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, has raised alarm among local communities and environmental advocates.
To assess the full impact of the spillage, the government has announced an independent investigation to evaluate damage to aquatic life, surrounding ecosystems, and community livelihoods. The inquiry will also scrutinize the integrity of tailings dams and other storage facilities to determine the root cause of the spill and recommend preventative measures.
“Government is deeply concerned about the potential harm caused by this acid spillage,” Mr. Mposha said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited is held accountable for the environmental and water pollution that has caused loss of crops and businesses for the people of Chambishi, Kalulushi, and Kitwe.”
The government’s response includes a compliance order issued to Sino Metals on Feb. 21, which remains in effect. The order will only be lifted if an independent assessment confirms that there are no heavy metal residues that could cause long-term harm to residents, livestock, and water sources. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has been tasked with expediting its assessment process, working in collaboration with other stakeholders to contain the damage.
Meanwhile, Mimbula Mine Managing Director Theo Sylver reported improvements in the Chabanyama stream’s water quality, following extensive cleanup efforts. The mine has so far invested 10.3 million kwacha in environmental remediation efforts.
The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) has joined calls for stricter regulations. NUMAW President Saul Simujika criticized mining companies for operating in ways that endanger public safety. “It is unacceptable for a company to operate in a manner that endangers the public,” Mr. Simujika said.
The Veterinary Association of Zambia (VAZ) has also raised concerns, noting that water pollution caused by the Sino Metals spill has affected livestock, further exacerbating the environmental and economic fallout.
The government has pledged to keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation and has urged mining companies to comply with existing environmental policies to prevent further ecological damage.
No mention of the Mines Safety Department, whose manadate is to ensure such impoundments are inspected at least twice per year. Scared of citing government institutions?
I concur.The entire mines safety departmnt and ZEMA itself must be disbanded and reconstituted with more hard teeth to bite.Most invesyors have a propensity to cut coners to make profits at the expense of the health and safety of their employees and surrounding communities
Kitwe is Zambia’s’ second largest town and it is very frightening to learn that the entire city water was shut down by a very small polluter because ZEMA neglected its oversight responsibility and left it to a firm
I pity the MSD. They no longer act indepently. Their efforts are being thwarted just to please the so called investors. A safety inspector will close a section of the mine only to get instructions to revisit his decision.
The problem we have is that government officials have a know it all attitude and don’t do their work properly. And there is no alternative in Zambia from opposition political parties, just like today the Zambia we want party spokesperson on radio was just full of himself, three quarters of the program was about him being special assistant to Dr Kaunda, his job interviews and a whole host of irrelevances. Who wants to hear that. In case you jumped off the bus, you the Zambia We Want party, the issues are bread and butter issues, period. Anything else is irrelevant and noise to our ears, and I know I am speaking for many Zambians
DejaFoool.Please try very hard before you grow very old and die to distinguish between politics and organization failure. Is politics all you know, surely!?
The F001 above… what’s political about my comment. Don’t talk about things you don’t understand. I much closer to the Mines Safety Department than you are to the man you support aka HH.
Independent investigation yakuti? Heads should be rolling. Kafue and Zambezi have been polluted by not only the Chinese but careless local adminstration which gets bribes and never inspects operations. Zambians want to act only when people die
Reading the comments here shows me that indeed this nation is doomed as it appears many people lack objectivity.
Non of you can see that our mines are a money pit that is merely sucking the nation dry of its resources and not giving anything back of substance. These mines bring no tangible investment and are there only to pollute the environment. Why are we tolerating them? Close the mines and let’s focus of agriculture and tourism, Zesco should stop supplying power to these money pits!!!
What about the Zambezi river been in packed with the acid causing death to people animals fish. Basically that river will be finished & all the rest that comes with mining.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
Pre Election panic stations now waking up
This is symptom of govt corruption