Zambia’s Kafue River Contaminated by Mining Acid Spill After Dam Collapse
The Kafue River in Zambia has been contaminated due to an acid spill from a collapsed tailings dam at a Chinese-owned mine. Approximately 50 million liters of waste were released, leading to severe ecological and agricultural damage. Environmentalists express concern for affected communities, and a public advisory was issued to avoid consuming fish from the river. The full impacts of this incident are still being evaluated.
Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia are expressing significant concern regarding the long-term repercussions of an acid spill resulting from a Chinese-operated mine. The Kafue River, which serves as a vital water source for millions, has been contaminated, with initial detection occurring over 100 kilometers downstream from the site of the incident, raising alarms about extensive environmental harm.
The distressing event transpired on February 18, when a tailings dam at a copper mine in northern Zambia collapsed. The Engineering Institution of Zambia reported that the incident released approximately 50 million liters of waste, comprising concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids into a stream that feeds into the Kafue River.
Environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba referred to the episode as an environmental disaster of catastrophic proportions, particularly impacting communities reliant on the river for their livelihoods. He noted the severe repercussions for local agriculture, highlighting that many farmers were on the brink of harvest, stating, “What they had invested in has been washed away,” and underscored the destruction inflicted upon soil and crops.
Post-incident visuals depicted dead fish along the riverbanks, while local farmers reported substantial damage to vital crops, particularly maize and groundnuts. To mitigate health risks, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a public statement on February 23, advising against the consumption of fish from the Kafue River and additional affected waterways.
Juliet Bulaya, a local farmer, mourned the loss of her fish stock, which perished after toxic waste entered her pond. She expressed her despair, saying, “I just stood in agony, wondering what I would do about the money I spent on the project.” Despite the dam breach being repaired by February 19 and control measures being implemented for harmful discharges, the comprehensive extent of the environmental, economic, and human impacts remains uncertain.
In summary, the recent acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine into Zambia’s Kafue River represents a significant environmental catastrophe. The incident, which has resulted in considerable agricultural damage and health advisories, has raised urgent concerns among local communities and environmentalists regarding the river’s contamination and its prolonged effects on both people and ecosystems. The future implications of this disaster are yet to be fully realized as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
