Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia are raising alarms over the long-term consequences of an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine that contaminated the Kafue River, a crucial waterway supporting millions of people. The pollution, detected over 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream, has sparked fears of an ecological and humanitarian crisis.
The incident occurred on February 18, 2025, when a tailings dam at Sino Metals, a copper mining company in northern Zambia, collapsed. Investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia reported that the dam failure released approximately 50 million liters of waste, containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals, into a stream that feeds directly into the Kafue River. The river is one of Zambia’s most important water sources, providing drinking water, irrigation, and fishing opportunities for communities along its banks.
Environmental and Human Impact
The effects of the spill have been devastating. Footage taken after the disaster shows piles of dead fish along the riverbanks, indicating severe water contamination. Local farmers have also suffered significant losses, with entire maize and groundnut fields destroyed.
Environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba described the situation as “an environmental disaster of catastrophic consequence.” He stressed that millions of people depend on the river for their livelihoods, and the pollution has disrupted farming activities at a critical time just two months before harvest. “For local communities, their entire livelihoods have been destroyed. They are farmers, their soil is disturbed, and what they had invested in has all gone down the drain,” he said.
Residents living near the affected area have expressed shock at the extent of the damage. Sean Cornileus, a local resident, described the transformation of the once-thriving river. “Prior to the 18th of February, this was a vibrant and alive river. Now everything is dead. It’s like a totally dead river, unbelievable,” he said.
For many farmers, the loss is personal and financially devastating. Juliet Bulaya, who operates a fish pond near the river, recalled seeing lime waste flowing into her pond after the dam breach. “All the fish had been swept away. I just stood in agony, wondering what I would do about the money I spent on the project,” she said. Many small-scale farmers in the region rely on fish farming as a major source of income, and with their fish wiped out overnight, the economic impact could last for months or even years.
Government Response and Public Health Concerns
In response to the disaster, the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock issued an advisory on February 23, warning the public against consuming fish from the Kafue River or other polluted streams. Authorities are conducting tests to determine the full extent of contamination, but the long-term health risks remain uncertain. Water pollution on this scale poses serious risks, including exposure to heavy metals that can cause long-term health problems such as organ damage and developmental issues in children.
The Ministry of Health has urged residents to seek medical attention if they experience unusual symptoms, particularly those related to heavy metal poisoning, such as nausea, skin irritation, and respiratory issues. However, many affected communities lack access to proper medical facilities, raising concerns that the health consequences of the spill may not be fully addressed.
There are also growing concerns over the impact on Zambia’s agricultural sector. The Kafue River plays a vital role in irrigation, and contamination could make the water unsuitable for farming. Experts fear that if heavy metals have seeped into the soil, crops could be affected for multiple seasons, further endangering food security in the region.
Restoration Efforts and Uncertainty
The breached dam wall was repaired on February 19, and the discharge of leach residue was brought under control. However, experts caution that the full human, economic, and ecological impact of the spill remains unknown.
Zambia’s environmental agencies, along with independent investigators, are calling for stringent measures to prevent similar disasters in the future. Activists have urged the government to hold Sino Metals accountable for the spill and ensure proper remediation efforts are undertaken to restore the affected communities. The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the dam failure, and preliminary reports suggest that inadequate maintenance may have contributed to the disaster.
Environmental experts say that restoring the Kafue River will require significant efforts, including removing contaminated sediment, monitoring water quality, and supporting affected communities with alternative water sources. However, there are concerns about whether Sino Metals will take full responsibility for the cleanup and compensation. In past incidents, mining companies have faced criticism for failing to address environmental damage in Zambia, leaving local communities to deal with the long-term consequences.
With millions relying on the Kafue River for drinking water, agriculture, and fishing, the acid spill has underscored the urgent need for stronger environmental regulations and corporate accountability in Zambia’s mining sector. The coming weeks will be critical in assessing the long-term damage and determining how best to support those whose lives have been disrupted by the disaster.
Many Zambians are now calling for more transparency in the operations of foreign-owned mining companies, arguing that profit should not come at the cost of environmental destruction. Lawmakers and civil society groups are pushing for stricter regulations, including stronger enforcement of safety measures at mining sites and harsher penalties for environmental violations.
As authorities continue to investigate, the affected communities remain in a state of uncertainty, unsure of how long it will take for their land, water, and livelihoods to recover. While the immediate focus is on containment and cleanup, the disaster has reignited a national debate on the environmental cost of Zambia’s mining industry and the responsibility of multinational corporations operating in the country.
