A catastrophic acid spill, originating from a Chinese-owned copper mine, has unleashed an environmental crisis of potentially devastating proportions, threatening the livelihoods and well-being of millions who depend on the vital Kafue River. The incident, which saw an estimated 50 million litres of toxic waste contaminate a tributary, has triggered alarm across the nation, with authorities scrambling to mitigate the long-term consequences.
The Engineering Institution of Zambia’s investigation revealed that the spill, originating from the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia mine on February 18th, released a torrent of corrosive acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals into a stream feeding the Kafue River. This 930-mile waterway, the lifeblood of Zambia, supplies drinking water, supports agriculture and sustains fisheries for a staggering 60% of the country’s 20 million population.
Dead fish washing ashore and visible pollution stretching 60 miles downstream paint a grim picture of the immediate impact. President Hakainde Hichilema, seeking international expertise, described the situation as “a crisis that threatens people and wildlife.” Environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba echoed this sentiment, labelling the spill “an environmental disaster of catastrophic consequences.”
The city of Kitwe, home to 700,000 residents, has already seen its water supply completely cut off. The Kafue River, a crucial resource for an estimated five million people, now poses a significant health risk. The spill has also decimated marine life and crops along its banks, sparking fears of long-term contamination seeping into the soil and spreading to other water bodies.
“Prior to the 18th of February this was a vibrant and alive river,” said Sean Cornelius, a resident living near the Kafue. “Now everything is dead, it’s like a totally dead river. Unbelievable. Overnight, this river died.”
The incident has ignited public outrage, highlighting concerns over environmental negligence by foreign investors. Zambia, a major copper producer, has seen significant Chinese investment in its mining sector, leading to growing discontent over environmental and social impacts.
“It really just brings out the negligence that some investors have when it comes to environmental protection,” environmental engineer Mweene Himwinga told the AP. “They don’t seem to have any concern at all, any regard at all. And I think it’s worrying because at the end of the day, we as Zambian people, (it’s) the only land we have.”
The Zambian government has deployed the air force to drop “hundreds of tons” of lime into the river in an attempt to neutralize the acid. They have also made it clear that Sino-Metals Leach Zambia will bear the full cost of the cleanup. The company’s chairman, Zhang Peiwen, has apologized and pledged to “restore the affected environment as quickly as possible.”
However, the long-term consequences of this environmental catastrophe remain uncertain, leaving millions reliant on the Kafue River in a state of anxious anticipation.
