On February 18, an embankment at a copper mine in Zambia failed, releasing 50 million liters of toxic wastewater. The incident led to significant fish deaths and crop damage, impacting local communities’ health and agricultural activities. The government of Zambia initiated an investigation, while BirdWatch Zambia and other organizations called for improved regulatory oversight to prevent future disasters.
On February 18, a significant environmental disaster occurred in Zambia when an embankment storing wastewater from copper mining operations collapsed, releasing over 50 million liters of waste into the Mwambashi River. This river is a tributary of the Kafue River, which is the largest river entirely located within Zambia and a major tributary of the Zambezi River.
The copper mine, operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, located in Kitwe District of Copperbelt Province, experienced a release of highly acidic effluent. This led to widespread fish mortality and damage to crops while disrupting water supply to local communities, significantly threatening public health for both humans and animals. Approximately 60% of Zambia’s population relies on the Kafue River Basin for various essential uses, including irrigation and fishing.
The Zambian government confirmed that this incident has inflicted damage on maize and groundnut crops and resulted in the death of fish, although the total extent of the damage is yet to be determined. The consequences of this disaster are dire, affecting environmental, social, and economic aspects. Contaminated water has introduced toxic heavy metals into the ecosystem, endangering aquatic life and creating health risks for communities dependent on the river for drinking water.
Moreover, the pollution raises concerns regarding unsafe irrigation practices and the bioaccumulation of toxins within the food chain, adversely impacting fisheries, agriculture, and tourism. The cleanup costs are expected to be substantial, and the long-term implications could include ongoing contamination and potential ecological collapse.
This incident took place within the Kafue Flats Key Biodiversity Area, a region renowned for its wildlife, featuring species such as the endemic Kafue lechwe and over 450 bird species, including critically endangered vultures and cranes. Thus, the area’s ecological significance cannot be overstated.
In the wake of this unprecedented incident, the Zambian government has initiated an independent investigation into the causes of the contamination affecting waterways, particularly in the mining-intensive Copperbelt region. Concerns regarding the environmental impact of mining operations are escalating.
BirdLife Partner organization BirdWatch Zambia (BWZ) has joined forces with the Zambia Environmental Justice Coalition to express serious concerns regarding the pollution issues stemming from inadequate management in the mining sector. According to Mary Malasa, Program Manager at BWZ, “this is not the first time a disaster of this nature has occurred, and the level of damage witnessed—both to people and the environment—is unacceptable. Such incidents are preventable.”
BWZ is urging the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to enhance regulatory oversight and implement strict measures to avert such environmental disasters in the future, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach rather than a reactive one.
In summary, the environmental disaster in Zambia, instigated by the failure of a mining wastewater embankment, has resulted in severe ecological, health, and economic repercussions. The incident underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight within the mining sector, as well as a commitment to proactive environmental management to avoid similar occurrences in the future. Given the Kafue River’s importance to millions of Zambians, safeguarding this vital resource is essential for community welfare and ecological preservation.
Original Source: www.birdlife.org
