They are dozens of Zambiani farmers have sued the Chinese mining company Sino-Metals Leach (SML), asking for compensation of 220 million dollars following a massive toxic payment that took place at the beginning of this year, which – of course – seriously contaminated with lands and water resources.
The accident occurred on February 18 near Kitwe, in the province of Copperbelt, one of the richest areas of copper in the world, and had a devastating impact.
What happened
An imposing waste of waste from the Mine managed by the SML has collapsed, freeing a large amount of mining effluents. Initially, the company had estimated that the amount of waste released was about 50 thousand metric tons. However, a subsequent evaluation by Drizit, An independent remediation company commissioned by the Zambiana Environmental Agency revealed that the actual volume was at least 30 times higher than initially declared.
The toxic payment contained dangerous concentrations of cyanide, arsenic, copper and cadmium, chemicals notoriously harmful to human health and the environment.
The proximity of the mine to the city of Kitwe, the second largest city in Zambia with about 700,000 inhabitants, has amplified the scope of the disaster. After the collapse of the dam, the water supply of the city was immediately interrupted due to the fears of contamination. In addition, the toxic waters merged into the Kafue river, one of the main sources of drinking water and irrigation for more than half of the 21 million inhabitants of Zambia. This has aroused serious environmental and public health concerns.
The legal case and requests for compensation
A group of about 50 farmers has filed into the company, asking for compensation to cover the costs of an independent environmental evaluation, complete health exams and the immediate rebuilding of contaminated lands and water resources. Farmers argue that the toxic payment has made it impossible to cultivate the earth, has caused health problems and contaminated the lands and sources of water.
This cause marks the second legal procedure against SML in a few weeks. On September 12, 176 residents of the same region filed a separate complaint, also accusing the company of environmental damages, as reported by Southern Africa Litigation Center. The mining company, a subsidiary of the China Nonlous Metal Mining group, denied the accusations, declaring that it has respected all the obligations relating to the reclamation and environmental restoration imposed by the Zambian legislation.
Mineral operations in Zambia
This is a coincidence that undoubtedly raises crucial questions about the delicate balance between economic development and environmental sustainability in countries such as Zambia, who try to exploit their natural resources to respond to the global question of critical metals. The legal case against Sino-Metals Leach could mark an important turning point in the struggle for the protection of the environment and the rights of local communities, while the country continues to face the challenges related to the management responsible for its natural resources.
