Zambia’s Kafue River suffers from severe contamination due to an acid spill from a collapsed tailings dam at a Chinese-owned mine, endangering local agriculture and water safety. Environmentalists emphasize the catastrophic effects on communities reliant on the river, highlighting immediate suffering among farmers and warnings against consuming contaminated fish.
Zambia’s Kafue River is currently facing serious contamination issues as a result of an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine, prompting significant concern from both authorities and environmentalists. This incident, which was detected over 100 kilometers downstream, threatens to inflict long-term ecological damage and disrupt the water supply for millions.
On February 18, a tailings dam at a northern copper mine collapsed, resulting in an estimated 50 million liters of toxic waste entering waterways linked to the Kafue River. The Engineering Institution of Zambia revealed that the breach released concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids into the environment, exacerbating fears of widespread contamination.
Environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba described the acid spill as a catastrophic environmental disaster, particularly detrimental to communities relying on the river for agriculture and sustenance. He noted that local farmers, in the midst of their harvest, faced significant losses, stating, “What they had invested in has been washed away.”
Subsequent reports highlighted the stark consequences of the spill, with numerous dead fish lining the riverbanks and farmers noting extensive damage to crops, notably maize and groundnuts. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock quickly issued a warning on February 23, advising against the consumption of fish from the Kafue River and adjacent streams due to contamination fears.
Local farmer Juliet Bulaya recounted the destruction of her fish pond, where waste flowed through, leading to the loss of her entire stock. “I just stood in agony, wondering what I would do about the money I spent on the project,” she lamented. Although the breach was repaired on February 19 and the release of harmful materials has been managed, the comprehensive impacts—environmentally, economically, and socially—remain uncertain.
The Kafue River in Zambia has been severely impacted by a recent acid spill from a mining operation, causing widespread concern regarding its environmental and economic repercussions. Immediate warnings against the consumption of fish and the staggering losses faced by local farmers underscore the gravity of the situation. While remediation efforts have begun, the long-term effects of this disaster will require ongoing attention and action.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
