The Kafue River in Zambia has suffered severe contamination from an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine, affecting millions. The incident, a result of a dam collapse, has prompted environmental concerns and government intervention. The river is crucial for the local population, emphasizing the importance of immediate action against environmental disasters.

Recent events have revealed a serious environmental crisis in Zambia, where the Kafue River has been contaminated due to an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine. This incident, which primarily affects millions of individuals, has raised significant concerns among local authorities and environmentalists regarding its long-term implications. Signs of pollution were detected up to 100 kilometers downstream from the source of the spill.

The contamination stems from the collapse of a tailings dam at a copper mine on February 18, which released nearly 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, solids, and heavy metals into a stream that connects to the Kafue River. Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, described this situation as “an environmental disaster really of catastrophic consequences.”

The Kafue River is vital to approximately 60% of Zambia’s 20 million inhabitants, offering resources for fishing, agriculture, and industry. Moreover, it provides drinking water to about five million people, including residents of the capital city, Lusaka. In response to this environmental emergency, the Zambian government has dispatched the air force to disperse lime into the river, striving to mitigate the acid’s effects and restore its integrity.

China’s involvement in Zambia’s copper mining sector has grown significantly, as Zambia ranks among the world’s top ten copper producers. The copper extracted plays an essential role in manufacturing mobile devices and other technologies. The recent reports of fish fatalities near the mine run by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, which is predominantly owned by China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, underscore the gravity of the situation. Environmental activists emphasize the need for immediate action to address such crises and prevent future occurrences.

In summary, the contamination of the Kafue River in Zambia, resulting from an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine, poses a dire threat to both the environment and public health. With a substantial portion of the population reliant on this river, the implications are severe. Efforts by the Zambian government to counteract the spill highlight the urgency of addressing such environmental risks, particularly amid increasing foreign investment in natural resource extraction.

Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com

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