Environmental disaster unfolds in Zambia
On 18th February, an embankment that stores wastewater from copper mining operations broke, releasing more than 50 million liters of waste into Mwambashi River, a tributary of the Kafue River, a major tributary to the Zambezi and the largest and longest river lying entirely within Zambia
On 18th February, an embankment holding wastewater from copper mining operations broke, releasing more than 50 million liters of waste into Mwambashi River, a tributary of the Kafue River, a major tributary to the Zambezi and the largest and longest river lying entirely within Zambia.
The copper mine, operated by Chinese owned company Sino-Metals Leach Zambia is located in Kitwe District in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. The suspected highly acidic effluent led to massive death of fish, damage to crops and cutting off of water supply to communities in Kitwe town and its environs, posing serious risks to human and animal health. It is worth noting that about 60% of Zambia’s population of 20 million people depend on the Kafue River Basin for irrigation, fishing, and industrial use.
The Zambian government disclosed that the effluent caused damage to maize, groundnut fields and killed fish, although the extent of damage remains unclear. This disaster has severe environmental, social, and economic consequences. The affected areas have contaminated water with toxic heavy metals, killing aquatic life, disrupting ecosystems, and posing serious health risks to communities relying on the river for drinking water.
The pollution is also believed to have caused unsafe irrigation, and bioaccumulation of toxins in the food chain. Economically, this affects fisheries, agriculture, and tourism while imposing high cleanup costs. Long-term effects could include persistent contamination and potential ecosystem collapse.
The affected area is part of the wider Kafue Flats Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and home to remarkable wildlife including iconic species such as endemic famous Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) and home to over 450 bird species, including the endemic Zambian Barbet, Vulnerable Wattled Cranes, Endangered vultures and Grey-crowned Cranes and many key species that depend on the Flats, underlining its ecological importance.
Following this unprecedent pollution incident, The Zambia government announced an independent investigation into the ongoing pollution of the nation’s waterways, particularly in the Copperbelt region, as concerns mount over environmental damage linked to mining operations.
BirdLife Partner BirdWatch Zambia (BWZ) in response to this crisis has joined a coalition of CSOs named ‘The Zambia Environmental Justice Coalition’ to expresses grave concerns about the reported incidents of pollution in the Copperbelt as a result of poorly managed mining operations.
“This is not the first time a disaster of this nature has occurred, and the level of damage witnessed—both to people and the environment—is unacceptable. Such incidents are preventable. While we commend the Zambian government for responding, a proactive approach is better than a reactive approach in preventing such disasters from happening in the first place. As Zambian citizens, we have entrusted the government with upholding environmental regulations and ensuring strict compliance to protect our communities and natural resources, ” states Mary Malasa, Program Manager at BWZ.
In addition, BWZ is calling on the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to strengthen regulatory oversight and enforce stringent measures to prevent such incidences.
Cover photo: Dead fish following the river pollution
Such incidents are preventable. While we commend the Zambian government for responding, a proactive approach is better than a reactive approach in preventing such disasters from happening in the first place. Mary Malasa, Program Manager, BirdWatch Zambia