Zambian River wiped out overnight after massive acid spill

The disaster unfolded on February 18, when a tailings dam at a northern copper mine collapsed, releasing approximately 50 million liters of toxic waste—a mixture of concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids—into a tributary of the Kafue River, Zambia’s primary waterway. The Engineering Institution of Zambia confirmed the cause of the collapse and described the incident as an environmental catastrophe.  

According to Associated Press journalist, when he visited the site, dead fish were seen washing up on the riverbanks, a stark reminder of the spill’s devastating impact. The mine responsible, Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, is majority-owned by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, a state-run company.  

Local resident Sean Cornelius recounted how life along the river changed overnight. "Before February 18, this river was full of fish and birds. Now, it’s a dead river. It’s unbelievable."  

The government confirmed widespread destruction of crops along the riverbanks and raised concerns that contaminated mining waste could seep into groundwater, making the crisis even more severe.  

The Kafue River is a lifeline for nearly 60% of Zambia’s 20 million people, providing drinking water, irrigation for agriculture, and industrial use. The acid spill has already forced authorities to shut down the water supply in Kitwe, a city of 700,000 people.  

In response, the Zambian air force has been deployed to drop hundreds of tons of lime into the river to neutralize the acidity. Speedboats have also been dispatched to spread lime across affected areas.  

Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa labeled the situation "extremely serious" and stated that Sino-Metals Leach Zambia would bear full financial responsibility for the cleanup.  

Sino-Metals Chairman Zhang Peiwen apologized during a meeting with officials, acknowledging the severity of the disaster. "This has been a wake-up call for our company and the mining industry. We are committed to restoring the affected environment as quickly as possible," he said.  

The spill has reignited frustration over the environmental and labor practices of Chinese-owned mines in Zambia, where China has a dominant presence in the copper mining sector.  

Critics argue that some Chinese companies neglect safety and environmental regulations while controlling Zambia’s copper supply, a critical resource for global technology production. Additionally, Zambia remains heavily indebted to China, owing over $4 billion—a factor that complicates government enforcement efforts.  

Further fueling anger, authorities uncovered another acid leak from a different Chinese-owned mine in the Copperbelt region, allegedly covered up by the operators. Police reported that a worker fell into the acid and died, yet the mine continued operations despite an official shutdown order. Two Chinese mine managers have since been arrested.  

Both mines have now been forced to halt operations, but environmentalists remain skeptical about long-term accountability.  

"This disaster highlights the reckless disregard some foreign investors have for Zambia’s environment," said Mweene Himwinga, an environmental engineer who attended the government’s crisis meeting. "At the end of the day, this is the only land we have. We must protect it."