Acid spill from mine contaminates Zambia's waterway

A large acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia has severely contaminated a major river, affecting millions of people. The incident occurred on February 18 when a tailings dam at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine failed. About 50 million liters of toxic waste flowed into a tributary of the Kafue River, which is essential for drinking water and local livelihoods. Zambia's Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Collins Nzovu, reported that the water became as acidic as concentrated acid. This forced authorities to shut down the water supply in nearby areas. They also closed the mine and launched an education campaign to warn residents against using the polluted water or consuming dead fish from the river. Local residents described a once-thriving river now devoid of life. Sean Cornelius, a nearby resident, said it was "like a totally dead river." The spill has angered many Zambians, who are already frustrated by issues related to Chinese companies operating in the country. China is Zambia’s largest creditor, with the country owing over $4 billion. Environmental regulations in Zambia could lead to significant fines for the incident. Nzovu announced that 12 million Zambians, nearly 60% of the population, rely on the Kafue River for water and agriculture. The chairman of Sino Metals, Zhang Peiwen, publicly apologized, and the company is expected to clean up the pollution and compensate those affected. Authorities are taking steps to improve the situation, including applying lime to neutralize the acid. The Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Zambia has stated that China will help with the cleanup and ensure Chinese companies follow local laws. A high-level emergency meeting was held to address the crisis and plan for recovery.