Zambia’s Government has signalled on September 11 it will push for further compensation for communities affected by February’s toxic spill at the Chinese-owned Sino-Metals Leach copper mine, should an independent assessment reveal deeper damage.
Vice-President Mutale Nalumango stressed that the safety of citizens was “non-negotiable,” warning that the $580,000 (£430,000) payout pledged by the company may not be sufficient. The disaster, triggered by a dam collapse, polluted a key waterway connected to the Kafue River, contaminating farmland, killing fish and livestock, and wiping out livelihoods. Local communities continue to report severe health problems, including headaches, diarrhoea and respiratory issues.
An investigation by South Africa-based Drizit Environmental suggested that 1.5 million tonnes of toxic waste — far higher than Sino-Metals’ initial estimate of 50,000 tonnes — had spilled, leaving nearly 900,000 cubic metres of hazardous material in the environment. Water samples revealed dangerous concentrations of arsenic, lead, zinc, uranium and other heavy metals exceeding World Health Organization limits. While the Zambian government has sought to downplay health risks, both the U.S. and Finland have issued alerts, with Washington withdrawing staff from Kitwe. Human Rights Watch has urged greater accountability, noting reports of unpaid compensation and ongoing health complaints among affected residents.