Care for Nature Zambia has called on the government to declare the Sino Metals pollution incident a national disaster, citing the scale of environmental damage and potential health risks.
On 18 February 2025, a tailings dam at Sino Metals collapsed, releasing an estimated 50 million liters of acid into the Kafue River and contaminating the Chambishi stream.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News in Lusaka today, Organization Executive Director, Nsama Kearns, expressed concern that government authorities misinformed the public about the extent of the pollution.
She stressed the urgent need for remedial action before the onset of the rainy season, warning that further contamination could spread to more water bodies.
“The organization is worried that if the environment is not cleaned up before the rainy season, it will cause more damage to water bodies, thereby affecting the health of people, especially children who are more vulnerable to waterborne diseases,” said Ms. Kearns.
Ms. Kearns also urged government to consider relocating residents in affected areas, warning that their continued stay could have long-term health consequences.
She further called for transparency in reporting on the Sino Metals incident, demanding accountability from all institutions involved in handling the matter.
By Christabel Kamunu
