Call for Urgent Action to Protect Communities, Strengthen Environmental Governance in Mining Sector

Zambia’s mining sector has always been a pillar of national economic growth, is increasingly under scrutiny for its mounting environmental health impacts.

From toxic lead exposure in Kabwe to sulfur dioxide emissions on the Copperbelt, the country faces a serious public health and environmental crisis that demands urgent attention, with coordinated policy actions.

Communities living near mining operations are experiencing high rates of respiratory illnesses, developmental disorders especially in children, and a widespread water and soil contamination, poising serious health outcomes.

A recent case in point is the Kafue River disaster in early 2025, when a tailings dam failure released over 50 million liters of toxic slurry, endangering water access for millions.

“I think we cannot continue trading public health for economic output,” and for sure we can’t just sit back and fold our hands to watch from the terrances.

Yes, indeed the cost of our inaction is already being paid by the most vulnerable Zambians especially our children who are suffering from strange health conditions.

Key Areas of Concern:

1. Kabwe: Over 95% of children tested show elevated blood lead levels, stemming from decades-old mining residue.
2. Copperbelt: Communities in both Mufulira and Kitwe report respiratory illnesses linked to air pollution from smelters and acid leaching operations.
3. Waterways: Major rivers like the Kafue and Muntimpa are increasingly threatened by unchecked tailings discharge, harming agriculture and drinking water. Root Causes :
4. Weak regulatory enforcement by under-resourced agencies like ZEMA
5. Corporate negligence and lack of compliance with environmental standards
6. Inconsistent mining and environmental policies over the past decade Government and International Efforts :

While Zambia has partnered with the World Bank through the Zambia Mining Environmental Remediation and Improvement Project (ZMERIP), progress remains slow and local impact limited. Community groups continue to call for more transparency, stronger enforcement and real-time monitoring of mining sites.

Immediate Recommendations:

1. Enforce environmental liability laws and ensure polluter-pays principles are applied
2. Provide medical treatment and compensation for affected populations
3. Establish independent environmental health monitoring units
4. Implement strict tailings and air emission control measures
5. Develop cleaner mining technologies and waste recycling strategies

As Zambia strives toward its Vision 2030 and commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stakeholders urge government and industry players to prioritize public health, environmental protection and sustainable mining practices.