“Catastrophic” acid spills at copper mines test Zambia’s plans to boost production

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Since the start of the year, four copper mining companies operating in the Southern African nation, including one British and three Chinese firms, have been accused of releasing toxic mining waste into the Kafue River’s watershed in one of the country’s worst environmental disasters.

The most devastating spill occurred on February 18, when the tailings dam holding mining waste from Chinese company Sino-Metals Leach Zambia burst its walls and released 50 million litres of acidic effluent into the river.

The pollution killed fish, burned maize and groundnut crops and led to the deaths of livestock, wiping out livelihoods and deepening the plight of struggling farmers. …

The spills have sparked outrage across Zambia at a time when the government is planning to quadruple production of copper … to three million tonnes a year by 2031 to capture a share of the boom driven by rising demand for electric vehicles worldwide.

Copper mining is a cornerstone of the Zambian economy. … with Chinese companies making some of the biggest investments in its mining sector.

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Environment minister Collins Nzovu described Sino-Metals’ acid spill as “a serious environmental disaster that could have been avoided if proper safety measures were in place”.

He announced that a multi-agency task force will investigate the spill, assess damages and enforce penalties.

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A coalition of environmental justice organisations has called on the government to prosecute the Chinese companies for environmental crimes.

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“People unknowingly drank contaminated water and ate affected maize. Now many are suffering from headaches, coughs, diarrhea, muscle cramps and even sores on their legs,”...

Around 60% of Zambia’s population of 20 million people depend on the Kafue River for irrigation, fishing and industrial use. The river, which is a major tributary of the Zambezi – one of Africa’s longest-flowing rivers – supplies drinking water for five million people, including to its capital Lusaka.

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The Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ), the body which regulates engineering practices in the country, dispatched a team of senior engineers to investigate the dam’s collapse.

A preliminary investigation revealed flaws in the dam’s design, approval and operational processes,

Sino-Metals has apologised for the environmental disaster and the harm caused to local communities and committed to remedy the situation by cleaning up the river and helping restore people’s livelihoods. Mining activity remains suspended.

Unfortunately, the acid spill at the Sino-Metals mine is not an isolated incident.

In January, a toxic spill at the Mimbula Mine, owned by British company Moxico Resources, contaminated nearby water sources. Local residents reported severe water pollution, with rivers turning a reddish-brown colour and emanating a strong chemical odour.

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Moxico Resources did not respond to a request for comment.

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Elsewhere in Copperbelt Province, the director of a mine operated by Rongxing Investments was arrested this month after the Chinese company reportedly ignored a government order to halt its activities following the death of a worker, who allegedly fell into a pool of acid, and extensive acid spillage into a local stream.

Further south, in the district of Mumbwa, the Chinese-owned Ozone Mine has also been accused of discharging chemical waste into local water bodies. Farmers in the area reported unusual crop failures and increased cases of waterborne diseases among children.

Acid leaks from mining waste are not new in Zambia. Mining companies have previously been accused of cutting corners to maximise output and accountability for disasters has been slow to follow.

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“Polluters often face minimal penalties, allowing them to continue their operations without meaningful consequences,” he said.

African Rivers called on the Zambian government to form a cross-sector task force to handle compensation for affected communities, and to mandate climate-sensitive mining practices.