Overview

• The February 18 collapse of a tailings dam at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia caused a massive acid spill into the Kafue River, releasing 50 million liters of waste containing concentrated acid, heavy metals, and dissolved solids.
• The spill has resulted in widespread environmental damage, including dead fish, disappearing birdlife, and destroyed crops, with contamination detected at least 60 miles downstream.
• The Kafue River, a lifeline for 60% of Zambia's population, provides drinking water, irrigation, and industrial water for millions, including 700,000 residents of Kitwe, where water supplies have been shut off.
• Zambia's government is deploying lime to neutralize the acid and has ordered Sino-Metals to fund cleanup efforts, while the mine's chairman has apologized and pledged to restore the environment.
• The incident has intensified criticism of Chinese-owned mines in Zambia, highlighting concerns over environmental negligence and strained relations due to Zambia's $4 billion debt to China.