Authorities have sprayed lime over a 100-kilometer stretch of the Kafue River to neutralize acid plumes and prevent further contamination.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister Peter Kapala confirmed the development, stating that the acid plumes were detected between Ngabwe and Mumbwa districts. The contamination has been traced back to Sino Metal Tailings in Chambeshi, located in the Copperbelt Province.
In an interview with ZNBC News, Mr. Kapala explained that a coordinated response involving the Zambia Air Force, Zambia Police, and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) is underway to mitigate the environmental impact.
The operation has deployed three Zambia Air Force planes and boats to distribute lime, particularly in areas where the river’s current is stronger. Efforts will continue tomorrow, focusing on the swamps and riverbanks where the water flow is slower, allowing for more effective treatment.
Authorities remain on high alert as they work to contain the pollution and safeguard communities that rely on the Kafue River for water and fishing.
Zambians are not benefiting from mining activities because they are not own by Zambians. They consume our electricity and now they are damaging our environment. People will have long term effects of this poisoning. God knows how long this poisoning has been taking place and how much has been covered up in the past. This is a big crisis and it threatens our lives. GRZ should revoke licenses of the offenders and confiscate their property. The fact that GRZ is conducting the clean up means that the companies have no capacity to do it. That is unacceptable.
The polluters should bear the cost for spraying and pay compensation to the country and the citizens who’ve lost livelihoods
Hopefully, all these costs are being quantified and will be passed onto the choncholi culprits.
Let the company responsible for this compensate for all the pollution.Some of these
Investors are even exempted from tax.Let the
Responsible agencies swing into action.
Certainly government could have used that money for development matters if those polluters didn’t do those. So it’s justified to pass the cost onto the polluters
Grz has to bear some responsibilty for failing to regular minine inspections throughput the country small mines are all over in rural areas with no visits since inception
and gold mines should be closely monitored