After security issues raised by the U.S. Embassy, the Zambian government rejected the claim of dangerous pollution in the copper belt mining area.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy issued a health alert, ordering its personnel in the town of Kitway and nearby areas immediately after concerns about “widespread pollution of water and soil” related to February spillage at Chinese metal mines.
The leak occurred after heavy rains when tailings dams poured into the Kafue River, a key source of drinking water.
The U.S. Embassy said there is new information showing “the degree of danger and carcinogens.”
It warns that besides “contaminated water and soil, pollutants from overflowing mine tailings may also turn into the air and pose a health threat if inhaled”.
Zambian government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa fought back, saying “lab results show that pH levels in the region have returned to normal” and that water is safe.
Mweetwa said there is no serious impact on public health, water safety, agriculture or the environment.
“So there is absolutely no need to press the ‘panic button’ to warn the country and the international community today.”
China Lichizambia Mine is a subsidiary of China’s non-metal mining group owned by the Chinese government.
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At the time of leakage, China is a commitment to make up for the affected communities and restore the environment.
The leak affected aquatic organisms and farmers who irrigated crops with water.
Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha said the government has been proactive since February and continues to update to the public, while affected communities have been compensated.
Water Development Minister Collins Nzovu said the government has been constantly testing water and complying with World Health Organization standards.
Opposition Greens leader Peter Sinkamba said the health alert at the U.S. embassy is part of geopolitics.
He wondered why the embassy has issued an alarm since February while accusing it of silent lead poisoning in central Zambia, partly traced the western mining giant.
Maggie Mapalo Mwape, executive director of the Centre for Environmental Justice, told the BBC that pollution is a national disaster that calls for immediate concrete action to mitigate its impact and prevent future occurrences.
She called for decisive action to resolve this environmental crisis and protect the rights and well-being of Zambian citizens.
