A catastrophic waste spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has triggered an environmental and public health emergency, with authorities warning of severe long-term damage to the Kafue River, the country’s most critical water source.
50 Million Liters of Toxic Waste Contaminate Key Waterway
An investigation by the Engineering Institution of Zambia revealed that 50 million liters of toxic waste—containing concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids—spilled from the Chambishi Copper Mine into tributaries feeding the Kafue River.
The disaster unfolded on February 18, when a tailings dam collapsed at the mine, which is operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, a state-owned enterprise.
Authorities Sound the Alarm Over Environmental and Human Impact
Zambian authorities, including President Hakainde Hichilema, have described the situation as a major crisis threatening both human lives and wildlife along the Kafue River.
The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation warned of groundwater contamination, damage to farmlands, and the destruction of aquatic ecosystems.
Journalists from the Associated Press, who visited the affected areas, reported dead fish washing up along the riverbanks—nearly 100 kilometers downstream from the mine.
Vital Water Supply Cut Off for Thousands
The Kafue River basin sustains nearly 60% of Zambia’s population, providing drinking water to five million people, including residents in Lusaka, the capital.
As a result of the contamination, authorities have been forced to shut down water supplies in Kitwe, a city of 700,000 people, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water.
Chinese Mining Company Apologizes, Promises Action
Following public outrage, the chairman of Sino-Metals Leach Zambia met with Zambian officials to issue an apology for the disaster. In a statement, the company pledged to take immediate action to restore the affected environment.
“We will go all out to restore the affected environment as quickly as possible,” the company stated.
With concerns mounting over the long-term consequences of the spill, environmentalists and local communities are calling for stronger regulations, accountability, and a comprehensive cleanup plan to prevent future disasters.
