Zambia Presses China for Greater Compensation After Toxic Mine Spill

The Zambian government has announced that it will pursue additional compensation for communities affected by a major toxic spill linked to a Chinese-owned copper mine. Vice-President Mutale Nalumango stressed that the health and safety of citizens remain “non-negotiable” and that the current compensation package may not fully cover the damage.

The February Mine Waste Disaster

In February, a dam at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine collapsed, releasing highly acidic mine waste into waterways. The toxic spill contaminated a vital river system that serves as a key source of drinking water for thousands of people in the Copperbelt region. The mine, a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, initially apologized for the disaster and pledged to provide compensation.

Conflicting Reports on the Scale of Damage

Initial company reports claimed that 50,000 tonnes of waste had been released. However, independent assessments revealed a far greater impact. Drizit, a South Africa-based environmental firm hired to investigate, concluded that the spill released 1.5 million tonnes of hazardous waste. The report warned that around 900,000 cubic metres of toxic tailings remain in the environment, posing long-term risks to human health and ecosystems.

Heavy Metals in Waterways

According to Drizit’s findings, the waste contained dangerously high levels of cyanide, arsenic, cadmium, zinc, and other heavy metals. Such contaminants are linked to organ failure, cancer, birth defects, and other chronic health problems. Although Sino-Metals disputed these findings and terminated its contract with Drizit, independent testing by the Finnish government also revealed alarming levels of contamination. Their water samples identified 24 heavy metals, with 16 surpassing World Health Organization (WHO) safety thresholds.

International Health Alerts Issued

The environmental disaster sparked international concern. The US embassy issued a health alert and withdrew its personnel from Kitwe and surrounding areas, citing fears of “widespread contamination of water and soil.” Other embassies also advised their citizens to avoid the region. Meanwhile, Zambia’s government downplayed the severity, insisting that the immediate health risks had subsided.

Human Rights Watch Raises Alarm

Human Rights Watch (HRW) contradicted the government’s position, reporting devastating consequences for local communities. HRW noted that the toxic spill killed fish, destroyed maize and groundnut crops, and wiped out livestock. These impacts have disrupted livelihoods, leaving many farmers without income or food security. Activists also reported ongoing health issues, including headaches, coughing, and diarrhea, particularly among those living close to the spill site.

Compensation and Community Concerns

Sino-Metals initially pledged $580,000 in compensation and environmental restoration. While Vice-President Nalumango welcomed this gesture, she emphasized that the figure must be reassessed based on independent findings. She warned that if further investigations reveal deeper and longer-lasting damage, Zambia will demand additional compensation. HRW also highlighted that some victims claim they have yet to receive any promised compensation, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Emergency Measures on the Kafue River

In response to the spill, authorities imposed a fishing ban on the Kafue River to prevent further public health risks. The Zambian air force was deployed to neutralize the acidic waste, using aircraft and speedboats to distribute lime across contaminated waterways. Despite these measures, experts warn that environmental rehabilitation could take years.

The Mining Sector’s Role in Zambia’s Economy

Zambia is one of the world’s top ten copper producers, and its economy heavily depends on the mining industry. While foreign investment in mining provides jobs and revenue, incidents like this highlight the tension between economic growth and environmental protection. The government’s push for greater compensation reflects growing calls for multinational mining firms to be held fully accountable for environmental damage.

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