Zambia’s government has dismissed US claims that a February acid spill in its copper-mining region remains a serious health hazard, insisting the situation has been brought under control.
The spill occurred when a tailings dam at a Chinese-operated copper processing plant in Chambishi failed, releasing 50,000 cubic metres of acidic slurry into nearby rivers.
Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said clean-up operations—primarily using lime to neutralise acidity—have restored pH levels to normal and steadily reduced heavy metal concentrations.
“The immediate danger to human, animal, and plant life has been averted,” Mweetwa told reporters.
The remarks came a day after the US embassy in Lusaka issued a health alert for Chambishi, advising US officials to limit travel to the area due to risks from contaminated water and soil, and warning that pollutants could also become airborne.
Water and Sanitation Minister Collins Nzovu said Zambia would engage with US authorities to address their concerns.
The plant’s operator, Sino Metals Leach Zambia, has been working with the government and funding mitigation measures, but declined further comment, referring questions to the authorities.
