The acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia threatens a vital river used by 12 million people and could harm diplomatic relations with China. President Hakainde Hichilema has requested expert assistance, highlighting the seriousness of the environmental crisis. Experts warn that this incident is likely to affect Sino-Zambian relations negatively.
A recent incident involving a 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia has raised concerns about the potential impact on Sino-Zambian relations. This spill poses a significant threat to a crucial waterway, the Kafue River, which stretches over 1,576 kilometers and supports approximately 12 million individuals, including 5 million residents of Lusaka who depend on it for drinking water. Furthermore, the ecological damage is alarming, as reports indicate the presence of dead fish over 100 kilometers from the source of the spill.
In light of the disaster, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has urgently sought assistance from environmental experts, labeling the situation as “a crisis that threatens people and wildlife along the Kafue.” The potential ramifications of this spill could extend far beyond environmental concerns, as noted by Emmanuel Matambo, a research director at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies, who emphasizes that this environmental calamity is likely to jeopardize diplomatic ties between Zambia and China.
The acid spill from the Chinese-owned mine in Zambia represents a severe environmental crisis that threatens both public health and wildlife along the Kafue River. The government of Zambia is actively seeking expert assistance to mitigate the disaster’s impact. Experts believe that the incident may have lasting negative effects on the diplomatic relationship between Zambia and China, warranting close observation in the coming months.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
