Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia are deeply concerned about the long-term effects of an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine that has contaminated the Kafue River, a key water source for millions of people. The contamination, which was first detected over 100 kilometres downstream, has raised fears of widespread environmental damage.
The incident occurred on February 18 when a tailings dam at a copper mine in the northern part of the country collapsed. According to the Engineering Institution of Zambia, the breach released approximately 50 million litres of waste, including concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids, into a nearby stream connected to the Kafue River.
Environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba described the event as an environmental disaster with catastrophic consequences, particularly for communities that depend on the river for their livelihoods. He emphasised that the spill has devastated local agriculture, as many farmers were nearing harvest time. “What they had invested in has been washed away,” Mumba said, pointing out the damage to both the soil and crops.
In the aftermath of the spill, disturbing images emerged of dead fish lining the riverbanks, and local farmers reported widespread damage to their crops, particularly maize and groundnuts.
The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued a public advisory on February 23, urging people not to consume any fish from the Kafue River or other affected streams. Juliet Bulaya, a local farmer, recounted seeing the waste flow through her fish pond, wiping out her entire stock. “I just stood in agony, wondering what I would do about the money I spent on the project,” she said.
Although the breach was repaired on February 19 and the discharge of harmful residues has been controlled, the full scale of the environmental, economic, and human impacts remains uncertain.
