Amidst a toxic spill incident, the Zambian government has countered US Embassy warnings about environmental health risks in the Copperbelt mining area, emphasizing safety measures in place.
Zambia Rejects US Health Alert over Toxic Mining Spill
Zambia Rejects US Health Alert over Toxic Mining Spill
Zambia's government disputes US claims of hazardous pollution in the Copperbelt region, urging calm amidst health concerns.
The article text:
The Zambian government has dismissed assertions made by the US embassy regarding dangerous pollution levels in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety alerts about a recent toxic spill. On Wednesday, the US embassy issued a health alert, which instructed the immediate evacuation of embassy personnel from Kitwe and surrounding areas. This decision was linked to concerns over "widespread contamination of water and soil" from a spill that occurred at the Sino-Metals mine in February, when heavy rainfall caused a tailings dam to collapse, releasing toxic waste and heavy metals into the Kafue River, a critical drinking water source.
The US embassy highlighted alarming information indicating the presence of hazardous and carcinogenic substances in the area. It cautioned that pollutants from the mine tailings could also become airborne, posing additional health risks. In response, Zambia’s government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, stated that laboratory results confirmed that pH levels in the affected area had normalized and that the water has been deemed safe to drink. He underscored there were no current serious implications for public health, agriculture, or the environment, urging that there is no justification for alarm from the public or international community.
The Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine is operated under China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, backed by the Chinese government. At the time of the incident, Sino-Metals committed to compensating displaced communities and restoring the environment damaged by the spill, which harmed aquatic life and agricultural practices reliant on the affected water source.
Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha indicated that the government has been proactive since the spill occurred in February, continuously updating the public regarding the situation, with affected communities already receiving compensation. Minister of Water Development Collins Nzovu assured that ongoing water quality testing has consistently met World Health Organization standards.
However, opposition Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba criticized the timing of the US embassy's alert, suggesting it was influenced by geopolitical motives, expressing skepticism as to why it took until now to issue a warning while remaining silent on ongoing lead poisoning issues linked to foreign mining activities in central Zambia.
Maggie Mapalo Mwape, executive director of the Centre for Environment Justice, described the pollution incident as a national disaster, calling for urgent action to mitigate its long-term impact and protect the rights of Zambian citizens. She emphasized the need for decisive measures to prevent the recurrence of such environmental crises in the future.
The Zambian government has dismissed assertions made by the US embassy regarding dangerous pollution levels in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety alerts about a recent toxic spill. On Wednesday, the US embassy issued a health alert, which instructed the immediate evacuation of embassy personnel from Kitwe and surrounding areas. This decision was linked to concerns over "widespread contamination of water and soil" from a spill that occurred at the Sino-Metals mine in February, when heavy rainfall caused a tailings dam to collapse, releasing toxic waste and heavy metals into the Kafue River, a critical drinking water source.
The US embassy highlighted alarming information indicating the presence of hazardous and carcinogenic substances in the area. It cautioned that pollutants from the mine tailings could also become airborne, posing additional health risks. In response, Zambia’s government spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, stated that laboratory results confirmed that pH levels in the affected area had normalized and that the water has been deemed safe to drink. He underscored there were no current serious implications for public health, agriculture, or the environment, urging that there is no justification for alarm from the public or international community.
The Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine is operated under China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, backed by the Chinese government. At the time of the incident, Sino-Metals committed to compensating displaced communities and restoring the environment damaged by the spill, which harmed aquatic life and agricultural practices reliant on the affected water source.
Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha indicated that the government has been proactive since the spill occurred in February, continuously updating the public regarding the situation, with affected communities already receiving compensation. Minister of Water Development Collins Nzovu assured that ongoing water quality testing has consistently met World Health Organization standards.
However, opposition Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba criticized the timing of the US embassy's alert, suggesting it was influenced by geopolitical motives, expressing skepticism as to why it took until now to issue a warning while remaining silent on ongoing lead poisoning issues linked to foreign mining activities in central Zambia.
Maggie Mapalo Mwape, executive director of the Centre for Environment Justice, described the pollution incident as a national disaster, calling for urgent action to mitigate its long-term impact and protect the rights of Zambian citizens. She emphasized the need for decisive measures to prevent the recurrence of such environmental crises in the future.
