The Zambian government has pushed back against a health warning issued by the US embassy regarding contamination in the Copperbelt mining region. The alert followed a hazardous spill from a collapsed tailings dam at the Sino-Metals mine in February. This incident reportedly released toxic waste, affecting a vital drinking water source, the Kafue River.
The US embassy raised alarms, citing new information about risky pollutants that could threaten public health. In response, Zambian spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa reassured citizens, stating that laboratory results indicated water safety had been restored, and downplayed the need for panic.
Sino-Metals, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned firm, promised to compensate affected communities and mitigate environmental damage. The spill has harmed local aquatic ecosystems and disrupted farming practices. Government ministers emphasized ongoing water quality checks, while opposition voices criticized the timing of the US alert, suggesting it had geo-political motivations. Environmental advocates also called for stronger action to safeguard citizens’ health amid concerns over this mining-related crisis.
