By Chinoyi Chipulu
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Kasonde Mwenda has expressed sadness that the government is downplaying the pollution on the Copperbelt, saying the idea that the mining company can walk away from its responsibilities after such a catastrophe is an insult to the people of Zambia.
And some residents of Chambishi Township have expressed shock why the government has been lenient on Sino Metals, a mining company that caused land pollution after a dam containing acidic mine effluent burst causing an environmental disaster.
Meanwhile, agriculture expert Oliver Bulaya said the pollution could affect soil quality, crop yields and would potentially lead to a decline in biodiversity.
On Tuesday last week, a dam at the mining facility burst, releasing acidic effluent into the Mwambashi Stream and Kafue River.
The crisis has affected five towns on the Copperbelt Province and over 200 farmers in Chambishi.
Chambishi, Kalulushi, Kitwe, Luanshya, Masaiti, and Mpongwe districts were affected by the pollution of the contamination.
The effluent had destroyed crops and killed a number of fish in nearby dams such as Mwembeshi dam and at the Kafue River.
As a result,Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company had shut down its treatment plants, leaving Kitwe district without water.
Copperbelt University was one of the institutions that closed down on account of water problems.
This was confirmed by Copperbelt University Students Union president Lloyd Nsonga who said the utility company in the area had shut down the water supply hence the school would have experienced pathetic sanitary conditions.
Looking at our population, we requested Nkana water to provide water bowsers, but those measures were not sufficient enough so classes were suspended,” Nsonga said
And Mwenda said the recent environmental catastrophe caused by the burst of a dam at Sino Metals in Chambishi was a tragic reminder of the rampant disregard for the environment by profit-driven corporations.
“The idea that this corporation can walk away from its responsibilities after such a catastrophe is an insult to the people of Zambia, especially those who rely on the land and water for survival,” he said.
Mwenda said the government must hold Sino Metals fully accountable for the disaster, including compensating the affected farmers and communities for their loses.
“Secondly, a comprehensive environmental remediation plan must be put in place to restore the land and water bodies to health, with clear timelines and public accountability. This incident must serve as a wake-up call to all mining companies: if you pollute our land, you will be held to account. This is a crisis that cannot be downplayed,” he said. “The destruction of crops, death of countless fish and the widespread contamination of land and water is not just an environmental issue, it is an economic and social crisis that threatens the livelihoods of hardworking Zambians. We cannot overstate the long-term effects of this pollution.”
He said the damage to the country’s water bodies would have severe and far-reaching consequences.
“These rivers and streams are not just a source of water for communities; they are life-giving arteries for agriculture and industry,” he said.
He said the toxic effluent released into these bodies of water would continue to poison the land, rendering it unsuitable for farming in the near future.
Maggie Kanele, a peasant farmer, said that her crops had been damaged and demanded government to hold the company accountable and penalise it.
“We are demanding for government’s intervention here in Kabusale area. I have lost everything, my crops have been damaged just like that,” she said.
She said that government were being soft on the mining company without punishing them.
“These are Chinese companies who don’t even follow the rules, can we honestly do this in their country? We are only hearing that government officials came and left but they are not engaging us,” she said. “Farming is expensive, we spend all we had because we knew we would benefit when our crops, but government is treating this matter lightly.”
Another resident of Mindolo Township, Favour Lupiya said the area had no water for three days and children were sent back home from school.
Meanwhile agriculture expert Oliver Bulaya said the release of acidic effluent into the Mwambashi Stream and Kafue River could have several long-term effects.
He said the acidic nature of the effluent could alter soil pH, making it less suitable for agriculture.
Dr Bulaya said over time, this could lead to nutrient depletion, affecting soil quality and crop yields.
He said the death of fish and other aquatic organisms could disrupt local ecosystems, potentially leading to a decline in biodiversity.
“Farmers may face significant challenges in farming on contaminated land. Immediate effects include crop destruction, which could lead to economic loss for farmers because Inputs are very expensive,” he said.
When Environment and Green Economy minister Mike Mposha toured the mine, he said the government through the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) had ordered the company to cease operations until they met government demands.
