Zambia’s Kafue River Devastated by Mining Acid Spill

An acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine has contaminated Zambia’s Kafue River, impacting agriculture and local livelihoods. The spill released 50 million liters of waste, devastating local ecosystems. Authorities have warned against consuming fish from the river, as many farmers face significant losses.

Zambia’s Kafue River is facing significant threats due to an acid spill originating from a Chinese-owned copper mine. Authorities and environmentalists express serious concern regarding potential long-term effects of the contamination that was first detected over 100 kilometers downstream. This incident raises fears of extensive environmental damage, endangering the river, a critical water source for millions.

On February 18, a tailings dam collapse at the mine released around 50 million liters of waste, which included concentrated acid and heavy metals, into a stream that connects to the Kafue River. The Engineering Institution of Zambia reported that this environmental breach poses major risks to the local ecosystem and community.

Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist, condemned the event as an environmental disaster with severe consequences for communities reliant on the river for survival. He noted the devastating impact on local agriculture, particularly as farmers faced losses just before harvest time. Mumba remarked, “What they had invested in has been washed away,” highlighting the damage to crops and soil.

Following the spill, alarming visuals depicted dead fish along riverbanks, and farmers reported significant crop damage, especially to maize and groundnuts. In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a public advisory on February 23, advising against the consumption of fish from the affected water bodies.

Local farmer Juliet Bulaya shared her distress as she witnessed waste flow into her fish pond, which obliterated her entire stock. “I just stood in agony, wondering what I would do about the money I spent on the project,” she expressed, demonstrating the financial strain on affected farmers.

Although the mine’s discharge was controlled after the breach was repaired on February 19, the overall impact on the environment, economy, and local communities is still unknown and troubling.

The acid spill from a copper mine into Zambia’s Kafue River represents a significant environmental disaster with repercussions for local communities that depend on the river for their livelihoods. The immediate effects include loss of fish stocks and damage to crops, severely impacting agricultural productivity. While the situation is being managed, the full consequences of the incident are yet to be assessed, raising concerns about long-term environmental health and economic stability in the region.

Original Source: newscentral.africa