GOVERNMENT has revealed that no deaths were recorded in connection with...

 GOVERNMENT has revealed that no deaths were recorded in connection with the February pollution incident involving Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited in Chambishi and surrounding areas.



Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr Cornelius Mweetwa, said at a joint press briefing on Thursday that no fatalities have been linked to the discharge of acidic tailings into the Chambishi Stream, Mwambashi, and Kafue Rivers.


Mr Mweetwa’s statement comes a day after the United States government ordered the immediate withdrawal of all its personnel from Kitwe and surrounding areas affected by the Sino Metals mine tailings dam spill.


In a health alert issued to US citizens in Zambia, the US stated that new information indicated the presence of hazardous substances and heavy metals that could pose both immediate and long-term health risks if left in the environment.


Mr Mweetwa allayed fears, stating that according to laboratory data, pH levels in the affected rivers have now returned to normal, and concentrations of copper, cobalt, iron, manganese, zinc, and lead are steadily decreasing.


He reiterated that no fatalities have been recorded in connection with the spillage.


“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to tell the nation in no uncertain terms that no death resulting from the pollution incident has been recorded since the pollution occurred in February,” Mr Mweetwa said.


He disclosed that Government has fined Sino Metals over K1.5 million and directed the company to provide interim compensation to affected communities for crop and soil damage over two seasons.


He further said Government has taken over the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process after the company failed to appoint a qualified consultant, with all costs to be recovered from the polluter.


“Government invoked Section 107 of the Environmental Management Act and assumed full responsibility for undertaking the assessment, with all associated costs to be borne by the polluter,” he said.


Regarding public health, he said only three cases of suspected food- or water-related illness were recorded in Ngabwe District, and all patients recovered.


Zambia yatu , Thursday, 7th August, 2025

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