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The Zambian government has sought legal guidance from the Office of the Attorney General on how to proceed against Sino Leach Metals, following the company’s pollution of the Kafue River and surrounding streams in the Copperbelt Province.
Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha said the government would announce its position on the matter once legal counsel was received.
He also revealed that the state has taken an active interest in the recent termination of a contract between Sino Leach Metals and an independent consultant who was hired to assess the environmental remediation work.
“The consultant was expected to submit a report to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) by May 30, 2025.
“However, the contract was terminated due to disagreements with Sino Leach Metals,” Mposha said during the Zambia-European Union Dialogue held at his office in Lusaka on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the government would not wait for Sino Leach to hire another consultant, stating that ZEMA continues to monitor the pH levels of the Kafue River in the interim.
“On February 18, 2025, the Ministry received a report on acidic leachate pollution in the Kafue River in Chambeshi District, following the collapse of Tailings Dam 15 operated by Sino Leach Metals,” Mposha disclosed.
In response, ZEMA deployed personnel to the site to contain the toxic spill and issued a compliance order under the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2012.
The agency reprimanded the company for causing extensive damage to both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and directed it to undertake restoration efforts.
“On February 21, 2025, ZEMA issued a restoration order to Sino Leach Metals, including a directive to cease operations,” Mposha said.
Read More: Alert! Govt probing suspected Kafue River pollution in Chililabombwe, says Minister Nzovu
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Zambia and COMESA, Karoline Stasiak, described the incident as a stark reminder of the urgent need for strong environmental safeguards.
“The collapse of the tailings dam, which released over 50 million litres of acidic and highly toxic waste into the Kafue River ecosystem, is a wake-up call,” Stasiak said.
She stressed the importance of legal frameworks, disaster preparedness, and adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, reinforcing the “polluter pays” principle embedded in both EU law and Zambia’s Constitution.
Stasiak commended the Zambian government for sending a clear message—from the highest office—that there will be zero tolerance for mining-related pollution.
“With Zambia targeting an increase in annual copper production from 800,000 metric tonnes to 3 million metric tonnes by 2031, more mining licenses will be issued. It is vital that environmental impact assessments include concrete measures for prevention, mitigation, and compensation, particularly near protected areas,” she added.
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