Kanchibiya Constituency Member of Parliament, Sunday Chanda, has expressed concern with the continued pollution of Kanchibiya river emanating from the operations of Kanyelele Gold mining in Mpika district.
Mr. Chanda says the discharge of untreated waste from the mine has turned the river water to dark brown, rendering it unfit for human consumption and endangering the livelihoods of residents who depend on the vital resource.
He says the situation constitutes a direct violation of Zambia’s Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011, which mandates that all persons and entities engaged in potentially harmful activities must take necessary measures to protect the environment and human health.
“We therefore call the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to act swiftly by compelling Kanyelele mine to halt the release of polluted water into the Kanchibiya river and adopt eco-friendly waste management systems,” said Mr. Chanda in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
The lawmaker said that ZEMA must also reassess the environmental impact assessment under which Kanyelele mining operates to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chanda has disclosed that the constituency is exploring the possibility of taking legal action on behalf of the affected residents who have been cut from clean water for domestic use.
Angel Kasabo
