An acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine has contaminated Zambia’s Kafue River, threatening millions who depend on it for drinking water, agriculture, and fishing. The incident occurred following the collapse of a tailings dam, releasing significant amounts of acidic waste. The Zambian government is taking urgent measures to address the crisis, deploying the air force to neutralize the acid.
Recent reports indicate that the Kafue River, a vital waterway in Zambia, has experienced significant contamination due to an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine. This incident is causing great concern among environmentalists and authorities, as it threatens to adversely affect millions of individuals. Pollution signs have been spotted at least 100 kilometers downstream, raising alarms regarding the sustainable future of this critical resource.
The contamination was triggered by the collapse of a tailings dam at a copper mine on February 18, which released nearly 50 million liters of acidic waste, including heavy metals and solids, into a tributary leading to the Kafue River. Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist, characterized the event as “an environmental disaster really of catastrophic consequences.”
Zambia is well-known for its copper production, ranking among the top ten globally. The Kafue River is crucial to approximately 60% of the population, providing essential resources such as drinking water, fishing, irrigation for agriculture, and industrial water. Nearly five million individuals, including residents of Lusaka, rely on this river for clean water.
In an effort to mitigate the acid’s effects, the Zambian government has deployed the air force to distribute lime in the river to neutralize the acid. Additionally, speedboats are actively applying lime along the riverway to assist in counteracting the contamination and restoring the water’s quality.
In summary, the acid spill from the Chinese-owned mine has had devastating effects on the Kafue River, impacting the health and livelihoods of millions of Zambians. The urgency of the situation has prompted government intervention to try and remediate the damage. As the nation grapples with this environmental crisis, the reliance on the Kafue River for water and resources only underscores the need for effective oversight of mining operations and environmental protections in Zambia.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
