Zambia Still Reeling From Chinese Mining Disaster, Months After Toxic Spill, Victims Demand Justice

CHAMBISHI, ZAMBIA – More than seven months after one of the country’s worst environmental disasters, Zambia is still grappling with the fallout of a toxic waste spill at a Chinese-owned copper mine that poisoned waterways, devastated farmland, and left thousands of residents demanding justice.

The February 18 collapse of a poorly constructed earthen wall at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a subsidiary of the state-run China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, unleashed an estimated 50 million liters of toxic sludge into the Mwambashi River.

Pollution spread more than 100 kilometers downstream into the Kafue River, Zambia’s most vital waterway and lifeline for millions.

For months, Sino-Metals attempted to downplay the disaster, initially reporting that just 50,000 metric tons of waste had spilled. But independent assessments told a far grimmer story. South Africa–based Drizit Environmental, hired briefly by Sino-Metals before being abruptly dismissed, concluded that over 1.5 million metric tons of toxic tailings were released, with 900,000 cubic meters still contaminating the environment.

The waste contained cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, and other dangerous pollutants, posing long-term health risks including cancer, organ damage, and birth defects.

Vice President Mutale Nalumango, who visited the mine on September 10, acknowledged the company’s initial $580,000 in compensation but warned it may fall far short of what is needed.

“This is a step in the right direction,” she said. “However, compensation must be guided by thorough and independent assessment.”

Civil society groups and lawyers representing victims have accused Sino-Metals of coercing residents into signing settlements as low as $17 to $2,000 – far below the cost of damaged crops, livestock, and health needs.

“These payments were labeled as ‘full and final settlements,’ but most victims did not understand what they were signing,” said Malisa Batakathi, a lawyer for 47 households seeking $220 million in relocation costs and medical testing.

Two victims’ organizations are now demanding $420 million in emergency relief and nearly $90 billion for long-term cleanup and restoration.

The stakes are high: 12 million Zambians – 60% of the population – live in the Kafue River basin, which supports agriculture, fishing, industry, and drinking water for 5 million people, including Lusaka.

Independent water tests by the Embassy of Finland and other groups confirmed dangerous concentrations of 24 heavy metals in the Mwambashi Stream and Kafue River.

Sixteen exceeded World Health Organization safety thresholds. Travel advisories have since been issued by two foreign embassies citing water and air contamination.

Drizit warned in August, “Unless the remaining toxic tailings are removed and safely contained in a properly engineered facility, downstream communities will remain at risk for decades.”

Nalumango, in her meeting with Sino-Metals, made clear the issue is far from resolved, “When there is an outcry from our people, their safety must come first. That is non-negotiable. If the damage proves more extensive than initially understood, further compensation will be pursued.”

As Zambia weighs its options – compensation, remediation, and possible legal action – the toxic shadow of the Sino-Metals disaster continues to spread, leaving an entire nation waiting for accountability.