Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia fear the long-term impact of an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine that poisoned a major river and could potentially affect millions of people after signs of pollution were detected at least 100 kilometers downstream.

The spill happened on Feb. 18 when a tailings dam that holds acidic waste from a copper mine in the north of the country collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia.

The collapse allowed some 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids and heavy metals to flow into a stream that links to the Kafue River, Zambia’s most important waterway, the engineering institution said.

“It is an environmental disaster really of catastrophic consequences,” said Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist who works in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.

  • OnASnowyEvening@lemmy.worldEnglish
    41·
    5 months ago

    “This disaster has rung a big alarm for Sino-Metals Leach and the mining industry,” [says company directly responsible.]

    Yeah, no it hasn’t. This isn’t the first mining dam to fail with consequences. It won’t be the last. No one at that company is losing sleep over this.

    Both mines have now halted their operations after orders from Zambian authorities, while many Zambians are angry.

    Gotta let it die down. Placate the masses. Then back to business as usual.