Zambia's government says it will seek more compensation for communities affected by a toxic spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine, if this is needed following a full assessment. The spill of highly acidic mine-waste laden with toxic heavy metals happened in February when a dam that held waste from the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine collapsed, polluting a key river that is a major source of drinking water. The firm apologised and pledged to compensate the victims but Zambia's Vice-President Mutale Nalumango says that may not be all, adding that the safety of Zambians was non-negotiable. Some embassies have warned their citizens to avoid the area due to the health risks.
Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine is a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, which is owned by the Chinese government. The company had initially reported that only 50,000 tonnes of waste material had spilled into waterways that connect to the Kafue River, near the northern city of Kitwe. But a South Africa-based environmental company that said it was contracted by Sino-Metals to investigate the extent of the spill found that the disaster resulted in the release of 1.5 million tonnes of toxic material.
These materials were found to contain dangerous levels of cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, and other pollutants posing significant long-term health risks, including organ damage, birth defects, and cancer, stated the environmental company in a recent report.
The Zambian government has imposed a fishing ban on the Kafue River and has deployed the air force and speedboats to spread lime to mitigate acidity in the affected waterways. Zambia is heavily reliant on its mining sector, being one of the world's top 10 copper-producing countries.
Despite the challenges, Vice-President Nalumango emphasizes that compensation must be derived from thorough assessments, indicating that further payouts may be necessary if damages exceed current evaluations.
Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine is a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, which is owned by the Chinese government. The company had initially reported that only 50,000 tonnes of waste material had spilled into waterways that connect to the Kafue River, near the northern city of Kitwe. But a South Africa-based environmental company that said it was contracted by Sino-Metals to investigate the extent of the spill found that the disaster resulted in the release of 1.5 million tonnes of toxic material.
These materials were found to contain dangerous levels of cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, and other pollutants posing significant long-term health risks, including organ damage, birth defects, and cancer, stated the environmental company in a recent report.
The Zambian government has imposed a fishing ban on the Kafue River and has deployed the air force and speedboats to spread lime to mitigate acidity in the affected waterways. Zambia is heavily reliant on its mining sector, being one of the world's top 10 copper-producing countries.
Despite the challenges, Vice-President Nalumango emphasizes that compensation must be derived from thorough assessments, indicating that further payouts may be necessary if damages exceed current evaluations.
