THE Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) has instituted investigations to ascertain the extent of contamination Konkola Copper Mine (KCM) has caused to the Kafue River before imposing sanctions against the mining company.
This is the third time KCM has polluted the Kafue River.
And KCM says it is ready to co-operate with the ECZ investigation into January 10 incident and has already been working in close liaison with the regulatory authority, having reported the Muntimpa Power failure within two hours of occurrence.
In a statement issued on January 14, KCM says the power outage led to the failure of the pumps at its Muntimpa tailings disposal site in Chingola.
Immediately after the power outage, two plants, the concentrator and the Tailings Leach Plant (TLP), were stopped and the matter was reported to the ECZ, the Mines Safety Department and local water utility firm Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company as a precautionary step.
The statement says ECZ officials were on site for preliminary investigations and took samples from the Kafue River and Mulonga pump station. All the readings proved to be within the allowable parameters.
The statement says KCM welcomes the ECZ’s investigation into the matter and is prepared to provide any information that might be needed.
Making the submissions to the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, ECZ executive director Paul Banda said the ECZ is investigating KCM to establish the source and cause of pollution to help Government to take appropriate action to prevent such incidents in future.
Mr Banda said this in response to a question from the Committee chairperson, Kankoyo member of Parliament Percy Chanda (Patriotic Front), who wanted to know the measures ECZ and Government are taking to prevent KCM from polluting the Kafue River and the environment.
But Mr Banda said the ECZ is disappointed at the failure by KCM management to adhere to the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act which is currently under review.
“KCM has failed to put in place adequate measures to prevent the pollution of the Kafue River.
“We have instituted investigations to ascertain the extent of damage the effluent has caused to Kafue River before taking action. This firm is not adhering to the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act. We are going to take action against the company to protect the health of people,” Mr Banda said.
He said it is important for KCM management to invest in modern technology to prevent environmental pollution.
“This is not the first time KCM has polluted the Kafue River and we are now worried about the health of people.
“The maintenance of the plant is a problem. The entire Copperbelt Province has been highly polluted by mining firms and other companies. So we have to do something to address the situation,” Mr Banda said.
In 2007, the ECZ ordered the mining firm to close its tailings leach plant after it polluted the same river, the main source of water for residents on the Copperbelt.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Of course they’ll continue polluting for as long as the courts of law continue charging them meagre penalties like K29m. I’ld do the same if I was making millions of USD$ per day. In fact I’ld add the account” Pollution Expense” under cost of sales in my chart of accounts and include K29m in my budget.
They better do it quick before lives are lost.Too many pipo depend on this river for survival.
That is what happens when you fine a big corporation $4000 for polluting a river. They will continue polluting.it costs them nothing. That is not even change or petty cash to KCM. That is like old coins in a cookie jar that nobody cares about. At least when you take them to court now make it $40m dollars and let see them do it again.
Cage them this time! When cancer and other related “incurable diseases” start to scald you in the near future, this will not be a laughing matter! You couldn’t do this in their home country. There is a lot at stake for Zambia to failing to act decisively and sternly. Come on ECZ and GRZ, wake up!
ECZ should not take lightly the continued polution of Kafue river by KCM. Those fellows are here to make their bucks and once they exhaust the mineral reserves they shall pack their ngongas and leave. Prior to the dubious acquisistion of KCM Vandetta was a small entity and now it has grown to a multi Billion dollar group and listed on London Stock Excghange. KCM should be punished in Million Dollars and not ZMK. THousands of pipo will perish one from drinking contaminated water from Kafue river. Remember what happened to Union Combide in India when a chemical plant safety was mishandled? Zed cant be different. That lady Kabeta is parroting her master’s voice and as long as she gets her salary she can tell a lie. They ve build Konkola University in India while not here. Stupid *****s…
The District Commissioners from Konkola and Chingola accompanied by the Provincial deputy minister were recently taken to India on holiday by KCM. What can we expect from them? They do not even have time to inspect the infrastructure in the mining areas. This is what poverty can do to people.
We never used to hear of conamination when themines were being run by ZCCM. Even the safety record was excellent. These so called investors in conjuction with MMD corrupt led GRZ have ensured all highly qualified Zambian engineers and artisans are gotten rid of and repalced with guys with questionalbe qualifications and experience in mining.Same job with Zambians but our brothers are being given peanuts. KCM employed the likes of Ken Muyangwa, Augie Seyuba and many other professionals on inception as days went by they replaced them with low caliber yes bwana type of staff. What benefits we getting from ourmineral resources. I wouldnt be surprised to learn in future that some of our leaders ve offshore accounts where these investors are depositing dollars. Why are they not listening/seeing
you dull Zambians who bewitched you kansi? A country that has no proper organs, a country which rejoices at the suffering of its majority poor people.
A country that favours foreginers , ha , guys I dont know where Zambia is heading.
KCM will continue to polute Kafue river coz it has seen that the country is full of dull creatures who do not care about people so long their pockets are full. This is what happens when you have selfish leaders.
KCM needs to be fined in Million dollars you dull creatures.
Why did Kenule ‘Ken Saro-Wiwa’ go? We need such kind men in Zambia! This government in Zambia is of Indians by Indians for Indians! Black Zambians are second class citizens!
The Mines have no fear or respect for the locals, thanks to MMD and RB. They (mines) apart from paying low taxes and giving peanuts to the local work force are adding polluting of our environ. to the many insults that wer have been receiving from them. Sad situation in Zambia and i hope the people of Copperbelt will say NO to MMD come election day.
Mwansabantu even submitted to Parliamentarly Committee that govt should reduce on penalties imposed on mines. This statement came from Chamber of Mines Association of Zambia. What a shame!!!!!!!!!! This I.D.I.O T together with MMD govt think they can take Zambians for granted.
Any body can come to Zambia and do what ever rubbish he/she wants and no body will ask.Shame
There a lot of Scottish construction sites that could run the contamnated mine
The competency of the people running the institute upsets me
Icompetency by a lot of zambia briings the country down
Zambia will never recover, as a landlocked country it is the worst place to be in if a war broke out
My country is a laugjing stock among my work colleagues. I try to lie that I am from south africa
I know its wrong but it makes me feel better
Thanks
Honestly what is K20M as fine to pollute to kafue river? kcm can afford to pollute as many times as possible its nothing, we have a government that does not care about its people afterall these leaders dont even drink water from the tap they buy mineral water.
These are the issues George Kunda should have addressed in Chingola but instead he spent days attacking Sata. On Thursday 13th January 2011 the Nkana Water and Sewrage Co. had to cut off water supply to Kitwe and Kalulushu because of heavy presence of metal water in Kafue River. This affluence is from the KCM treatment plants. Also to note is the Smelter which the Chinese have put up in Chimwemwe. This plant has put Chimwemwe under fumes 24hrs every day.
# 1 Mushota2
I am saddened to note that you put monies as most important thing: Mind you, your children need to live on this planet, Once you destroy it in the search for more cash, that will be the end of mankind.
# 13 Mushota .. lies only help u avoid humilation. But telling the truth is the best thing that u can do. Be proud of your mother Zambia although it is being milked by other countries like SA and Chine. About war even none landlocked countries that experience the war does not make use of the sea to escape the war. e.g Liberia, Coute’ de Ivoure..Nigeria .. Somalia only to mention a few.
our leaders in zambia are corrupt they would do anything to sale off their brothers for a penny see now what is happening total corruption
WHAT STUPIDITY IS THIS????
A LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE LISTED COMPANY – NEVER HEARD OF STANDBY GENERATORS???
F.U.C.K s-h-it investors!! This is what happens when people sell their hearts & souls, not least of all THEIR COUNTRY for a few pennies/cents!!
That JUDGE SHOULD BE OUT OF HIS MIND, probably suffering the effects of the pollution!!