Sino Metals to bear costs as Zambian govt takes over assessment of Kafue, Chambeshi River pollutions

The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has taken over responsibility for conducting an environmental assessment following the pollution of the Kafue River, Mwambashi River, and Chambeshi Stream by Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited in Chambishi District on the Copperbelt.

Green Economy and Environment Minister, Mike Mposha, in a statement issued Tuesday, said the decision was made under Section 107 of the Environmental Management Act, 2011, and that Sino Metals would bear the full cost of the assessment.

The pollution incident occurred on February 18, 2025, when leach residue from the company’s tailings storage facilities was discharged into the open environment, contaminating nearby water bodies including the Chambishi Stream, Mwambashi, and Kafue Rivers.

In response, ZEMA issued an Environmental Restoration Order directing Sino Metals to cease operations and initiate a comprehensive clean-up.

The company was also instructed to conduct a full-scale pollution assessment before any remediation could begin.

However, a contractual dispute between the company and its environmental consultant has delayed the submission of the required report, prompting the agency’s intervention.

“As government, we are taking this issue seriously because it affects human health, livelihoods, and our natural ecosystems,” Mposha said.

He warned that the pollution threatens water and soil quality, crop safety, livestock health, and biodiversity in the area.

To move forward, Mposha announced that ZEMA would develop detailed Terms of Reference for the assessment in the coming weeks, in collaboration with other ministries and agencies including those responsible for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mines, and Water Resources Management.

Once the Terms of Reference are finalised, ZEMA will issue a public call for Expressions of Interest from qualified service providers. These companies will be vetted thoroughly in a transparent process involving all relevant government departments.

“Upon appointment of the service provider, we aim to have a comprehensive assessment report ready in the shortest possible time,” Mposha said.

He added that the findings would guide the environmental clean-up and long-term remediation measures.

The report would also inform future conservation strategies for the Kafue River and surrounding ecosystems.

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