Government to Establish Expert Team to Address Mining-Induced Water Pollution in Copperbelt

March 13, 2025

By Ennety Munshya

Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, announced that the government plans to establish a team of experts to oversee ongoing remedial efforts following the recent pollution of the Kafue River and its tributaries, the Luela and Mwambashi streams. He made the announcement while addressing delegates at a meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2025, at the Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe.

The recent pollution occurred after the failure of tailings dams at two Chinese-owned mines—Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited and Rongxing Mine in Chambishi, Kalulushi, Copperbelt Province—as well as at Bubanji Resources Limited and Ozone Mine in Mumbwa District, Central Province.

Nzovu stated that the expert team will audit all mines, with a particular focus on tailings dams and leach pipes, to assess their structural integrity and ongoing safety.

The contamination caused by mining activities rendered water sources unsafe for both human consumption and agricultural use, leading to the immediate shutdown of the Bulangililo and Nkana East Water Treatment Plants. This disruption in the water supply affected the entire city of Kitwe, leaving thousands of residents without access to clean water for four days.

The discharged mine effluent contained high concentrations of acid and heavy metals, including iron, manganese, copper, and cobalt, along with excessive levels of total dissolved solids, which resulted in extremely low pH values.

Nzovu stated that the government’s response to the crisis has focused on monitoring and reducing pH levels, total dissolved solids, and heavy metal concentrations to assess the extent of the contamination. He noted that the application of hydrated lime has led to significant improvements, with water quality in open bodies now reaching acceptable standards.

However, he pointed out that manganese and iron concentrations remain above permissible limits, necessitating further action.

Research indicates that consuming water with elevated levels of manganese can lead to several health issues, including neurological disorders similar to Parkinson’s disease, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, attention problems in children, and liver and kidney damage.

Nzovu further stated that the government has engaged the Chinese Embassy, which has assigned a team of experts from China Non-Ferrous Metals Group to conduct additional assessments and determine long-term remediation measures.

The Chinese Embassy has also pledged to ensure that Sino Metals continues its clean-up operations, supports an independent environmental impact assessment, and strengthens compliance with Zambian environmental laws and standards.

Sino Metals has acknowledged its responsibility and is collaborating with the government to mitigate the impact. Nzovu emphasized the need for accountability and transparency, stating that those responsible for environmental damage must be held accountable to prevent future violations.

He has directed regulatory bodies to ensure that all tailings dams are properly constructed to prevent environmental and public health risks. Additionally, the government is demanding urgent interventions to protect public health and livelihoods, fair compensation for affected communities, and comprehensive restoration efforts to rehabilitate the damaged environment.

Nzovu stated that the government will explore policy reforms to ensure that industries uphold the highest environmental standards and prevent similar disasters in the future.

During the meeting held at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe, Professor Nyambe A. Imasiku, Vice-Chancellor of Copperbelt University and Chairperson of the Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (Zawafe), recommended that pollution be addressed by all stakeholders through the enforcement of existing legislation and the reintroduction of rehabilitation programs. He also highlighted the absence of a platform for academics to engage with the government on study findings related to industrial pollution in Zambia.

Dr. Sixtus Mulenga, a mine geologist, proposed that part of the Environmental Protection Fund be allocated to strengthening regulatory bodies such as the Mines Safety Department, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (Zema), and the Water Resources Management Authority (Warma) to ensure they can continue monitoring and enforcing compliance at mining sites across the country. He pointed out that regulatory institutions face resource constraints, which limit their ability to effectively carry out their functions.

Dr. Mulenga also emphasized the need to enforce the “polluter pays” principle, as prescribed by law, and stressed that with the rapid increase in mining operations, regulatory bodies must intensify monitoring to ensure compliance.

The meeting was attended by government departments, mining companies, experts, and civil society organisations (CSOs).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation will continue monitoring water quality in the Kafue River for the next six months.

Read the related story: “I Could Have Been the First to Die,” Says Chambishi Resident