Farmers in Zambia have filed an $80 billion (£58.5 billion) lawsuit against two Chinese-linked firms, blaming them for an ecological catastrophe caused by the collapse of a dam that stored waste from copper mining. Millions of litres of highly acidic material spilled into waterways in February, leading to mass fatalities among fish, making water undrinkable and destroying crops, the farmers said in court papers. This is one of the biggest environmental lawsuits in Zambia's history, with the farmers saying the spillage affects about 300,000 households in the copper-mining region.
The US embassy issued a health alert in August, raising concerns of widespread contamination of water and soil in the area. The lawsuit pits villagers, who are mostly subsistence farmers, against Sino Metals Leach Zambia and NFC Africa Mining, which are subsidiaries of Chinese state-owned firms. A group of 176 farmers have filed papers on behalf of their community in the High Court in Zambia's capital, Lusaka.
They alleged the collapse of the tailings dam - owned by Sino Metals Leach Zambia but located in the surface area of NFC Africa Mining - was caused by numerous factors, including engineering failures, construction flaws and operational mismanagement.
The firms have not yet commented on the lawsuit, but Sino Metals Leach Zambia has previously disclosed that there was a spillage of about 50,000 cubic metres. In a statement on 3 September, the company claimed, The tailings release and breach was promptly brought under control within hours of detection.
Furthermore, the farmers indicated that they discovered the water was highly toxic several days after the dam collapse, which jeopardized the community's health, with many reporting symptoms such as blood in urine and chest tightness. Most villages had dug wells, but even they were polluted, leading to the burning of crops deemed unsafe for consumption.
The farmers demand the two firms deposit $80 billion in a Zambian government-managed account as security for environmental reparation and full compensation. Additionally, they seek the establishment of a $20 million emergency fund for immediate help to those affected and to conduct thorough health and environmental assessments.
The US embassy had ordered the immediate withdrawal of its personnel from Kitwe - the largest city in the Copperbelt region - after concerns were raised about the potential airborne threat posed by contaminants from the spilled mine tailings. In response to the crisis, Zambian government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated there were no serious implications for public health and urged against alarming the nation and the international community.
The US embassy issued a health alert in August, raising concerns of widespread contamination of water and soil in the area. The lawsuit pits villagers, who are mostly subsistence farmers, against Sino Metals Leach Zambia and NFC Africa Mining, which are subsidiaries of Chinese state-owned firms. A group of 176 farmers have filed papers on behalf of their community in the High Court in Zambia's capital, Lusaka.
They alleged the collapse of the tailings dam - owned by Sino Metals Leach Zambia but located in the surface area of NFC Africa Mining - was caused by numerous factors, including engineering failures, construction flaws and operational mismanagement.
The firms have not yet commented on the lawsuit, but Sino Metals Leach Zambia has previously disclosed that there was a spillage of about 50,000 cubic metres. In a statement on 3 September, the company claimed, The tailings release and breach was promptly brought under control within hours of detection.
Furthermore, the farmers indicated that they discovered the water was highly toxic several days after the dam collapse, which jeopardized the community's health, with many reporting symptoms such as blood in urine and chest tightness. Most villages had dug wells, but even they were polluted, leading to the burning of crops deemed unsafe for consumption.
The farmers demand the two firms deposit $80 billion in a Zambian government-managed account as security for environmental reparation and full compensation. Additionally, they seek the establishment of a $20 million emergency fund for immediate help to those affected and to conduct thorough health and environmental assessments.
The US embassy had ordered the immediate withdrawal of its personnel from Kitwe - the largest city in the Copperbelt region - after concerns were raised about the potential airborne threat posed by contaminants from the spilled mine tailings. In response to the crisis, Zambian government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated there were no serious implications for public health and urged against alarming the nation and the international community.
