By 
Chief Machiya of the Lamba-Lima chiefdom has taken Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited and NFC Africa Mining Plc to the Lusaka High Court, demanding US$50 million in compensation for what he describes as a catastrophic breach of environmental laws that has devastated communities, water sources and livelihoods across his chiefdom.
In a statement of claim filed by Chief Machiya—whose names are Rodgers Maoma—and 19 other residents, the plaintiffs argue that the funds are needed for independent environmental and social assessments, river restoration, health impact studies, and urgent humanitarian measures such as temporary resettlement, medical care, food, potable water and housing.
The lawsuit centres on the toxic spill of 18 February 2025, which the plaintiffs say released millions of litres of acidic effluent and heavy metals into the Kalusale and Chambishi streams, eventually polluting the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers.
The spill occurred after the collapse of four tailings dams—TD15E, TD15D, TD15C and TD15B—situated on NFC Africa Mining’s land but operated by Sino Metals.
The plaintiffs argue that the incident was not accidental but the foreseeable consequence of “a long record of non-compliance,” citing a 2023 Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Compliance Order that found Sino Metals had failed to build and operate its tailings dams according to approved safety standards. They further accuse the company of ignoring directives to treat effluent before discharge and failing to submit a remediation plan after earlier breaches.
Independent assessments referenced in the claim paint a grim picture: over 2.2 million square metres of land contaminated, 660,000–800,000 cubic metres of toxic waste deposited, and 92 water sources polluted, forcing communities to abandon 34 water points.
Tests reportedly found dangerous levels of manganese, cadmium, cobalt, lead and uranium—far exceeding World Health Organisation limits.
The plaintiffs state that residents have suffered respiratory irritation, abdominal pain, itching and diarrhoea, while crops, livestock, aquatic life and biodiversity have been severely damaged.
They further accuse the mining companies of providing “erratic and grossly inadequate” alternative water and offering arbitrary compensation to a limited number of affected residents, excluding entire farming blocks such as Musakashi.
The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the companies violated environmental statutes, mandatory medical screening for affected communities, a comprehensive remediation programme, a halt to unsafe earth-moving activities, and the establishment of a Victims Compensation and Environmental Rehabilitation Fund.
They also want the court to compel the companies to engage reputable international experts to treat or remove contaminated tailings and restore the rivers and soils to pre-pollution conditions.
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