Zambia Demands Greater Compensation Over Chinese Mine Spill

By : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

Zambia Demands Greater Compensation Over Chinese Mine Spill

Zambia’s government says it will push for additional compensation for communities affected by a toxic spill at a Chinese-owned copper mine, pending the outcome of an independent assessment.

The spill occurred in February when a waste dam at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine collapsed, releasing highly acidic, metal-laden waste into a river that supplies drinking water. The company apologised and pledged to pay damages, but Vice-President Mutale Nalumango warned this “may not be all,” stressing that the safety of Zambians is “non-negotiable.”

Initial reports from Sino-Metals suggested 50,000 tonnes of waste entered waterways linked to the Kafue River. But Drizit, a South Africa-based environmental firm hired by the company, said its two-month investigation found 1.5 million tonnes of toxic material were released, with around 900,000 cubic metres still present. Its report identified dangerous levels of cyanide, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and other pollutants capable of causing cancer, birth defects, and organ damage.

Sino-Metals disputed Drizit’s findings and later terminated its contract, citing “breaches.” Yet independent testing supports concerns: Finland’s government reported water samples containing 24 heavy metals, 16 of which exceeded WHO safety limits, including uranium and arsenic. The U.S. embassy issued a health alert and withdrew staff from Kitwe and surrounding areas.

Human Rights Watch said the pollution killed fish, destroyed crops, and livestock, devastating farmers’ livelihoods. Local residents continue to report headaches, coughing, diarrhoea, and other health problems. Some also claim they have yet to receive promised compensation.

So far, Sino-Metals has offered $580,000 (£430,000) in compensation, which Nalumango described as “a step in the right direction” but said must be reviewed independently. She pledged that if further damage is confirmed, Zambia “will pursue additional compensation.”

Authorities have imposed a fishing ban on the Kafue River and deployed the air force to drop lime into contaminated waters to reduce acidity.

Zambia, one of the world’s top 10 copper producers, relies heavily on mining for economic growth.

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