By 
The Socialist Party (SP) on the Copperbelt has called on the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to take full responsibility for the pollution of the Mwambashi Stream and Kafue River by Sino Metals Mine in Chambishi, Kalulushi.
SP Provincial Vice Chairman, Reagan Kashinga, proposed lifelong compensation for affected farmers, arguing that the acidic effluent spill has rendered the Kalusale environment unsuitable for farming.
In a statement issued in Kitwe on Monday, Kashinga said acidic waste from Sino Metals’ tailings dam destroyed crops on several peasant farms before contaminating nearby water bodies, leading to a critical water shortage in Kitwe and Kalulushi.
“This pollution could have been avoided if ZEMA had not approved substandard tailings dams used by mines in Chambishi,” he said.
Kashinga accused ZEMA officials of approving poorly constructed tailings dams that lack the recommended two-layer system, challenging the Ministry of Green Economy and ZEMA to explain their decisions.
“It is uncommon for a well-constructed tailings dam to burst like what happened at Sino Metals. We challenge the government to explain how the use of this defective facility was approved,” he stated.
He warned that continued approval of substandard tailings dams could lead to further pollution incidents.
Kashinga urged the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to provide immediate food and water relief to affected residents in Kalusale, Chambishi.
“We are also aware of another mine near NAMBOARD in Chambishi using an unfit tailings dam,” he added.
He described the pollution as a disaster requiring urgent government intervention to mitigate its impact on communities in Kalulushi and Kitwe.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments