Zambian Govt Takes Charge of Kafue River Pollution Assessment After Sino Leach Metal Spill
Zambia Orders Independent Assessment of Kafue River Pollution Caused by Sino Leach Metal Spill
The Zambian government has announced that it will oversee the procurement of an independent consulting firm to assess pollution levels in the Kafue River following a toxic slurry spill by Sino Leach Metal Zambia in Chambeshi District, Copperbelt Province.
The environmental incident, caused by a dam failure at Sino Leach Metal Zambia, released approximately 50,000 cubic meters of acidic slurry containing heavy metals into surrounding water bodies, sparking serious public health and ecological concerns.
Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha made the announcement on Tuesday during the National Summit on Climate Change Adaptation and Environment in Lusaka, held at the Golf View Hotel in partnership with the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflections (JCTR).
Minister Mposha explained that the appointed consultant will provide a detailed report on the presence and concentration of heavy metals in the environment and water systems.
Fourteen consulting firms had expressed interest, and the shortlisting and vetting process has been completed.
“We are procuring an independent consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of the pollution and identify the types of heavy metals present in the affected water bodies and environment,” Mposha said.
He added that initial evaluation efforts had been delayed due to a dispute between Sino Leach Metal Zambia and a previously contracted consulting firm, whose contract was terminated in May.
“The termination of the previous consultant’s contract by the company caused further delays, which is why the government has now taken over the process,” the Minister explained.
Mposha confirmed that full compensation will be provided to affected families once the assessment is complete, noting that Sino Leach Metal Zambia had already made initial payments.
To expedite the process, the Ministry engaged the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) to accelerate the procurement timeline.
The call for expressions of interest ran for one week in July 2025, and the government is now advancing to the final procurement stage.
Invoking Section 107 of the Environmental Management Act, the Ministry has the authority to take over the process in the event of a dispute, ensuring a comprehensive environmental assessment is conducted.
Minister Mposha emphasized that Zambia will enforce environmental laws strictly and welcomed engagement from churches and civil society organizations to support or advise on the matter.
He also reassured residents that water supplied by Nkana Water and Sanitation Company in Kitwe currently meets World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
On August 26, the Ministry reported that water samples from Ndola, Luanshya, Masaiti, Mpongwe, Kitwe, Kalulushi, Chambishi, Mufulira, Chililabombwe, and Chingola showed pH levels had returned to safe ranges, and concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, cobalt, copper, manganese, and zinc were declining.
“These findings indicate that water resources are beginning to recover naturally, although a full assessment is needed to confirm long-term environmental safety across all affected sites,” Mposha noted.
SOURCE:zambiamonitor.com
