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Green Economy and Environment Minister, Mike Mposha, has confirmed a significant improvement in water quality in the previously contaminated Mwambashi and Kafue Rivers, following successful neutralization efforts.
Speaking during a media briefing at Sino Metals Leach Limited’s general offices after touring the tailing dam on Tuesday, Mposha said water quality had returned to acceptable levels.
“Experts have declared water in Mwambashi and Kafue Rivers fit for use after extensive efforts by Sino Metals Leach Limited and Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSSC) to neutralize the contamination,” he told journalists.
Mposha stated that the Potential of Hydrogen (pH) levels had significantly improved, with current readings ranging between 6.9 and 7.4, compared to the normal range of 7 to 8.
This improvement allowed NWSSC to resume water supply to residents.
He further announced that full water supply would be restored within the next 48 hours or less.
Meanwhile, NWSSC Public Relations Manager Bivan Saluseki confirmed that the previously shut-down plants had resumed full operations.
He noted that the Bulangililo plant was back online, supplying the distribution center, alongside the Nkana East treatment plant, which resumed operations on Sunday.
Despite the improvements, Mposha said the suspension of operations at Sino Metals would remain in force until the government was fully satisfied with safety measures to prevent future contamination.
Sino Metals Chairman, Zhang Peiwen, expressed remorse over the acid spill, offering a formal apology to President Hakainde Hichilema and the Zambian people.
“This will never occur again, and we sincerely apologize to President Hichilema and the people of Zambia for the spillage of acids into major water sources,” Peiwen stated.
Sino Metals Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Martin Hamukusana, assured that the company would continue implementing remedial measures, including strengthening the embankment on the tailing dam, to prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, Zambian government had committed to engaging the services of an independent investigator to ascertain the extent of environmental damage caused by the recent spillage of acid in Mwambashi and Kafue rivers which occurred on February, 18, 2025.
The investigator would conduct a thorough assessment of the impact of acid spillage on the aquatic ecosystem, surrounding communities, and the environment as a whole, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Principal and Public Relations Officer Harriet Chimuka.
The investigation would also identify the integrity of the tailing dams and other storage facilities so as to ascertain the root causes of the spillage and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Minister Mposha, reiterated that government was deeply concerned about the potential harm caused by acid spillage and was committed to ensuring that Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited was held accountable for the environmental and water pollution.
Mposha stated that the water and environment pollution had been caused by the company resulting in the loss of crops and businesses for the people of Chambishi, Kalulushi and Kitwe.
“An independent investigation will provide a transparent and impartial assessment of the situation and inform members of the public accordingly,” he said.
Mposha further said that the compliance order that was issued to Sino metals on February, 21, 2025 remains enforce and would only be upheld once a satisfying report was given ruling out absence of heavy metal residues that may cause long term effects on the environment, affect residents, as well as water bodies.
The Minister directed ZEMA to expedite the process of assessment adding that the Ministry was working with other stakeholders in ensuring that the situation was controlled.
“The Ministry would keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation and will provide updates on any measures being taken to address the environmental damage caused by the acid spillage and appeal to all Mining companies to adhere to environmental policies in place,” he assured.
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