Govt mulls multi-sectoral approach to find lasting solutions to contamination of water resources on Copperbelt

Water Development and Sanitation Minister, Collins Nzovu, has said a multi-sectoral approach has been devised to find lasting solutions to the mining contamination on the Copperbelt.

The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, together with Ministries of Mines, Green Economy, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Health, Lands and Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), are expected on Tuesday March11, 2025, to convene a high level stakeholders emergency meeting at Garden Court Hotel in Kitwe, to discuss the pollution of some water bodies by some mining firms on the Copperbelt Province.

Nzovu in a statement on Monday said Indaba had been organised to find a lasting solution to end pollution of water bodies such as the Kafue river, due to mining activities.

“The meeting will bring together government, the mines, experts and Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) , to discuss this very important matter of national interest,” he said.

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Nzovu noted that the Mwambashi stream, a tributary of the Kafue River in Kitwe, had been affected by severe water pollution following the failure of the tailings containment facility at Sino Metals Mine in Chambishi, Copperbelt Province.

The pollution has had devastating consequences, including significant loss of aquatic life, destruction of crops along the affected water bodies.

Although the pollution situation may seem to be temporarily under control with notable improvements in water quality, Nzovu said further remediation measures were still required to safeguard public health and environmental integrity.

“It is in light of the urgency and magnitude of this issue, that the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has decided to call for an urgent stakeholders meeting to find a way forward,” he said.