Zambia Rejects US Concerns Over Copper Mine Acid Spill
Zambia Says Copper Mine Acid Spill No Longer a Health Risk Amid US Travel Warning
Zambia’s government on Thursday rejected claims that a February acid spill in its copper-mining region continues to pose a serious health threat, countering a US embassy travel advisory that warned of widespread contamination.
The incident occurred when a tailings dam failed at a Chinese-operated copper processing plant in Chambishi, releasing 50,000 cubic metres of acidic slurry into nearby rivers.
According to government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, clean-up operations—primarily using lime to neutralise acidity—have restored pH levels to normal and steadily reduced heavy metal concentrations.
“The immediate danger to human, animal, and plant life has been averted,” Mweetwa told reporters.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Lusaka issued a health alert for the Chambishi area, advising US officials to limit travel there. The advisory cited risks from contaminated water and soil and warned that pollutants could become airborne.
In response, Water and Sanitation Minister Collins Nzovu said Zambia would engage with US authorities to address their concerns.
The plant’s operator, Sino Metals Leach Zambia, has been working with the government and funding mitigation measures. The company declined to comment further, directing questions to the Zambian government.
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