Acid Spill Contaminates Zambia’s Kafue River, Posing Grave Risks to Population
An acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine has contaminated Zambia’s Kafue River, affecting millions. The Engineering Institution of Zambia reported that the collapse of a tailings dam resulted in significant pollution downstream. The Kafue River is essential for drinking water and agriculture for the majority of Zambia’s population. In response, the government is deploying measures to mitigate the damage.
An acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine has reportedly contaminated Zambia’s Kafue River, a vital waterway impacting millions. Environmentalists and authorities in Zambia express grave concerns regarding the long-term effects of pollution detected at least 100 kilometers downstream. Investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia noted that the incident stemmed from the collapse of a tailings dam on February 18, which released approximately 50 million liters of waste laced with acid, heavy metals, and solids into a stream connecting to the Kafue River.
The environmental impact is severe, with activist Chilekwa Mumba describing the event as an “environmental disaster really of catastrophic consequences.” As one of the world’s top copper-producing nations, Zambia sees significant Chinese investment in its mining sector, particularly through Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, part of the state-run China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group. Reports indicate dead fish scattered along the banks of the river, signaling extensive ecological damage.
The Kafue River is crucial for approximately 60% of Zambia’s 20 million residents, serving as a primary resource for fishing, agricultural irrigation, and industrial water. It supplies drinking water to around five million people, including those in the capital, Lusaka. To mitigate the crisis, the Zambian government has enacted measures utilizing the air force to drop lime into the river, attempting to neutralize the acid and reduce the damage, complemented by speed boats distributing lime along the waterway.
The contamination of the Kafue River due to an acid spill from a Chinese-operated mine poses severe risks to ecosystems and the health of millions of Zambians. The government’s emergency response underlines the river’s critical role in providing resources for fishing, agriculture, and drinking water. The incident highlights the pressing need for stringent regulations in the mining sector to prevent such environmental disasters in the future.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
