Zambia's government has rebutted claims from the U.S. embassy about serious pollution risks in the Copperbelt region, stating that water safety has been restored following a mining disaster.
Zambia Rejects U.S. Health Alert Following Copper Mining Toxic Spill
Zambia Rejects U.S. Health Alert Following Copper Mining Toxic Spill
Zambian officials assert that recent U.S. warnings regarding pollution from a mining spill are unfounded and that safety measures are in place.
The Zambian government has firmly dismissed a health alert issued by the U.S. embassy concerning pollution risks in the Copperbelt mining area, following a toxic spill earlier this year. The U.S. embassy had advised the immediate evacuation of its personnel from Kitwe and adjacent towns, citing fears of contamination in water and soil as a result of a February incident at the Sino-Metals mine. The spill occurred when a tailings dam collapsed under heavy rainfall, releasing hazardous materials into the Kafue River, a crucial drinking water supply.
The embassy highlighted the presence of "hazardous and carcinogenic substances" in the aftermath of the spill and expressed concerns that airborne contaminants could pose additional health risks. In response, government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa emphasized that laboratory tests have confirmed the normalization of pH levels in the region's water, declaring it safe for consumption and stating that public health is no longer at risk.
Mweetwa criticized the embassy's alarmist stance, insisting there's no need for panic among the populace or the broader global community. Sino-Metals, a subsidiary of the China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group, has previously committed to compensating affected communities and undertaking environmental restoration. The spill has had negative impacts on local wildlife and agricultural practices reliant on the Kafue River's water.
Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha reassured the public of the government's proactive measures post-spill. He mentioned ongoing water testing that conforms to World Health Organization standards. However, opposition leader Peter Sinkamba raised concerns regarding the timing of the embassy's alert, suggesting that it serves geopolitical interests and questioning its silence on longstanding lead poisoning issues linked to Western mining companies.
Maggie Mapalo Mwape, executive director of the Centre for Environment Justice, described the pollution as a nationwide crisis necessitating urgent and effective measures to safeguard the environment and public welfare. She called for immediate action to address the pollution and prevent future environmental disasters in Zambia.
