The Zambian government has strongly refuted claims of dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region, following safety warnings issued by the US embassy.
On Wednesday, the US embassy released a health alert, directing the immediate evacuation of its personnel from Kitwe town and surrounding areas due to fears of “widespread contamination of water and soil” linked to a February spill at the Sino-Metals mine.
The incident occurred when a tailings damused to store toxic waste and heavy metals, collapsed into the Kafue River, a major source of drinking water, after heavy rainfall.According to the US embassy, newly gotten information showed “the extent of hazardous and carcinogenic substances.
“It further cautioned that beyond “contaminated water and soil, contaminants from the spilled mine tailings may also become airborne, posing a health threat if inhaled.
“However, government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa pushed back, insisting that “laboratory results show that PH levels have returned to normal” in the affected area and that the water remains safe for consumption.
