CHINESE MINE TOXIC SPILL KILLS ZAMBIA’S KAFUE RIVER
ECONEWS | APRIL 3, 2025
A major ecological disaster has struck Zambia after an estimated 50 million liters of acidic waste from a Chinese-owned copper mine poisoned the Kafue River, a critical water source for millions. The spill, caused by the collapse of a tailings dam at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited, has led to mass fish deaths, severe water contamination, and a humanitarian crisis in the affected regions.
Communities relying on the river for drinking water, fishing, and agriculture face devastating losses. In Kitwe, a city of over 700,000 people, water supply systems were shut down due to the high toxicity levels. Environmentalists have warned that the damage could take years to reverse, with experts calling the spill an act of “ecocide.”
Authorities have launched investigations into the mine’s operations, vowing to hold those responsible accountable. The Zambian government has also deployed emergency teams to try and neutralize the acidic waste, but concerns remain about long-term contamination and the impact on biodiversity.
This disaster in Zambia mirrors similar environmental threats across Africa, particularly in Uganda, where unregulated sand mining—largely driven by Chinese companies—has been wreaking havoc on lakes and rivers. In critical areas like Lake Victoria, excessive sand extraction has disrupted ecosystems, worsened soil erosion, and destroyed local fisheries. Environmental activists have repeatedly raised alarms about the unchecked exploitation of Uganda’s natural resources, warning that such activities, if left unregulated, could lead to irreversible damage similar to what has unfolded in Zambia.
Uganda’s wetlands, rivers, and lakes are increasingly under threat, with illegal mining operations causing widespread destruction. The lesson from Zambia’s toxic spill is clear: stronger regulations, environmental safeguards, and strict enforcement are necessary to prevent another catastrophic event.
African nations must now confront the harsh reality of prioritizing environmental protection over unchecked industrial activities. The destruction of Zambia’s Kafue River should serve as a wake-up call for Uganda and other countries to take decisive action before their own ecosystems suffer a similar fate.
