“I Could Have Been the First to Die,” Says Chambishi Resident

By Womba Kasela and Justina Matandiko

Jennifer Banduwell, a 63-year-old farmer, is among the victims of the recent tailings dam burst at Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited, a Chinese-owned mining company in Chambishi, Kalulushi District. The disaster severely flooded her house with acidic effluent, rising to waist level, and destroyed her maize field.

Recalling the desperate moments, she described how she and her neighbour used blankets in a futile attempt to stop the water from completely flooding their homes. She said she could have been the first to die, unaware that the water engulfing her home was contaminated with acidic effluent.

On the day of the disaster, she was inspecting her maize field when she heard a roaring noise and rushed home, only to be engulfed by a wave of water. Despite struggling to stay on her feet, she barely made it inside as her children tried to save household items.

The next day, local officials warned affected families not to drink well water or eat food from their fields due to contamination. Banduwell and her family endured hunger and thirst until Sunday, when mine representatives and local authorities provided limited relief – one 25kg bag of mealie meal, 2.5 litres of cooking oil, a pack of sachet water, and K500 cash. However, they were informed that this would be their only support until compensation arrangements were finalized.

Although a water bowser was allocated, Banduwell and her family are unable to access it due to road damage caused by the acidic effluent. They have been relying on sachet water for drinking and cooking and can only bathe using collected rainwater. Despite receiving another supply of sachet water on Tuesday, Banduwell remains frustrated as their food supply is destroyed, and they continue to face severe shortages.

“I could have been the first to die,” Banduwell recalls.

She isn’t alone. Over 200 farmers have been affected, leaving communities desperate for assistance.

Bernard Njobvu, another affected farmer, is struggling as compensation from Sino Metals has been delayed. With no food and the K500 cash assistance already exhausted, he and his family are finding it difficult to survive.

“The compensation is taking too long, and we are suffering in the meantime,” Njobvu said. As a subsistence farmer, he relied on his harvest to support both his household and extended family. Now, his crops are destroyed, and his land is severely damaged by the acidic effluent.

“I farm to provide for my family and relatives, but now everything is gone. I don’t even know if I can farm again,” he added. Bernard hopes that the compensation will cover not just the loss of food, but also the damage to his land.

Mine Pollution Disaster Linked to Delayed Government Action

A MakanDay investigation has established that the government ignored multiple warning signs before the environmental disaster at Sino Metals. The incident occurred on February 18 at around 14:00 when a tailings dam collapsed, releasing over 50 million litres of highly acidic effluent into the Mwambashi Stream, a tributary of the Kafue River.

While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, reports suggest that the pollution may have spread up to 200 kilometres, killing fish and other aquatic life.

Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Maggie Mwape stated that what was once a lifeline for thousands of people has now become a ticking time bomb, threatening public health, food security, and biodiversity.

In a statement, she noted that dead fish are floating on the riverbanks, livestock are falling ill, and communities are left without access to safe drinking water.

Nkana Water and Sanitation Company was forced to shut down water supply to Kitwe, Zambia’s second-largest city, for four days due to high levels of acidic contamination.

Early Warning Signs Ignored by Authorities

The disaster could have been prevented. In 2016, Sino Metals was one of seven mining companies investigated by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (Zema) for polluting the Kafue River. Subsequent government reports and ministerial inspections highlighted the instability of the tailings dam, yet corrective action was delayed.

The other companies under investigation were Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Mopani Copper Mines (MCM), Bolloré Mining, NFC Africa Mining PLC, Chambishi Copper Smelter, and Chambishi Metals.

Between 2022 and 2023, Sino Metals is alleged to have discharged acidic waste into the Lulamba stream in Chambishi, affecting farmers who depended on the water for irrigation.

Lulamba ward councillor Hastings Banda, who also serves as Kalulushi deputy mayor, confirmed that the pollution incident did occur. However, he was uncertain about the exact number of affected farmers, although he noted that the impact was significant.

Banda said that all affected farmers received compensation from the mine, based on the amount of crops they had planted. This compensation scheme was designed to ensure that farmers were fairly reimbursed for the damages caused by the pollution.

‘Everyone affected by the pollution was compensated based on their crop planting. Currently, the water in the Lulamba stream is safe,’ he said.

In 2023, the then-Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu—currently Minister of Water Development and Sanitation—conducted an inspection of several mining operations in Kalulushi district, with Sino Metals being one of the mines visited during the tour.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry’s communications unit, concerns were raised about the stability of Sino Metals’ tailings dam during the minister’s inspection. The statement revealed that in July 2023, the company had reported a tailings dam wall failure to Zambia Environmental Management Agency (Zema). When the minister visited in October, it was found that the tailings dam had not been fully rehabilitated.

“During the site visit with the Honourable Minister, the tailings dam walls had not been rehabilitated fully and was prone to collapse,” the statement read in part.

“The water in the Lulamba stream was affected resulting in the colour change to blue. The pH was low (acidic at the time of inspection). Some small-scale farmers growing vegetables on the banks of the Lulamba stream were affected,” the statement added.

MakanDay has also established that at the time of the incident, Sino Metals was still under a Compliance Order from Zema, issued on October 11, 2022. The order directed the company “to stop discharging acidic effluent into the aquatic environment and to fully comply with the conditions outlined in the Decision Letter”.

This year’s Sino Metals pollution has also led to the closure of Copperbelt University, the country’s second-largest higher learning institution, due to a lack of water supply. Other affected areas include Kalusale, a nearby community where the wells— the only source of water for some residents— have also been contaminated by acidic effluent.

MakanDay journalists, who were taken on a walk through some of the maize fields, observed thick waste on the ground, and in some areas, the water had turned black—a clear sign of chemical damage. At first glance, the maize cobs appeared healthy, but closer inspection of the roots and leaves revealed signs of acid exposure, including dried and withered foliage.

Further, they came across the remnants of a bridge that once connected key routes. Now, it was barely recognisable, as though it had never existed. The surrounding ground had taken on an unnatural greenish and bluish colour, a stark reminder of the toxic aftermath left behind by the mine’s pollution disaster.

Government Response and Calls for Accountability

Despite the widespread devastation, Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo praised the mine for its swift response but emphasized the urgent need for compensation.

During a media briefing on February 23, 2025, Matambo revealed that over 200 farmers across five districts—Mpongwe, Masaiti, Luanshya, Kalulushi, and Chambeshi—were affected by the contamination. He expressed relief that no lives were lost and commended the mine for its quick action, but reiterated the necessity of compensating those impacted.

During the same briefing, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe called for a review of the 2023 independent inspection and stressed the need for stricter monitoring of the mine’s operations. He stated that the mine would not resume operations until all dams were inspected and corrective measures implemented to ensure public safety.

Kabuswe also questioned the reliability of the 2023 independent inspection, urging for enhanced security and ongoing monitoring of the dams.

Zema declined to comment, directing all inquiries to Nzovu, the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, who announced the suspension of the mine’s operations.

Sino Metals Apology and Continued Challenges

Sino Metals issued a formal apology for the disaster, but the company’s actions have been criticised by environmental advocates, who point to poor management and negligence as the primary causes of the crisis.

CEJ’s Mwape condemned the lack of accountability among multinational mining companies, accusing them of prioritising profits over the welfare of local communities and the environment.

Two additional pollution incidents caused by mining companies have been reported since the Sino Metals disaster—one at Rongxing Mine in Kalulushi on the Copperbelt and another at Bubanji Resources Limited and Ozone Mine in Mumbwa District.

Womba and Justina are fellows in the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) journalism fellowship. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provides training in investigative journalism and supports journalists in producing impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.