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More than 190 former employees of Lumwana Mining Company Limited have filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking close to K2 billion in compensation for alleged exposure to uranium through contaminated drinking water at their workplace.
According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court by Abraham Kamanga and 192 others, the plaintiffs were employed by Lumwana at various times between 2006 and April 17, 2025.
The former workers accuse the mining giant of negligence, claiming that water sourced from Chimiwungo Crossing Dam, which they consumed at work from 2012, contained uranium levels above permissible limits.
The plaintiffs say they only became aware of the contamination on November 8, 2023, when a memo, allegedly not intended for them, was mistakenly circulated during an Incoming Pre-Shift meeting.
Subsequent test results dated
November 16, 2023, reportedly showed uranium concentrations up to six times higher than the maximum allowable limit of 0.03 milligrams per litre.
They allege the exposure led to long-term health complications.
Forty-one employees were medically discharged, 51 resigned, four took voluntary separation, and several others were diagnosed with various ailments.
One individual reportedly died from complications linked to uranium exposure, while 69 underwent trauma counselling after learning of the contamination.
Through their lawyers, MSK Advocates, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that Lumwana was negligent, K10 million each in compensation—totaling K1.93 billion—special damages to be assessed by the court, and interest on the claimed amounts.
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