The Zambian government has rejected the claims of dangerous pollution in the copperbelt mining sector after the security concerns raised by the US embassy.
On Wednesday, the US Embassy issued a health warning, ordered an immediate return of its personnel in the Kitway Town and surrounding areas, as the concerns of “widespread contamination of water and soil” were associated with the spread of February 1 in the China-metal mine due to concerns.
Spill occurred when a tailing dam was used to store toxic waste and heavy metals, after heavy rains, the Kafyu fell into the river, a major drinking water source.
The American embassy stated that there was new information that showed “the range of dangerous and carcinogenic substances”.
This warned that “beyond contaminated water and soil, the contaminants can also be airing by splied mine tailing, if there is a health threat when breathing.
Zambia government spokesman Cornellius Mavetwa said “Laboratory results suggest that the pH level has become normal” was safe for drinking more water in the area.
Mweetwa said that there was no longer any serious implication for public health, water security, agriculture or environment.
“Therefore, there is absolutely no need to suppress the ‘panic button’ to give alarm to the nation and international community.”
China-Facial Leach Zambia Mine China is a subsidiary of the Nonfrous Metal Mining Group, which is owned by the Chinese government.
The BBC has asked China-dhatus to comment.
At the time of spill, China-countries promised to compensate the affected communities and restore the environment.
Spill affected aquatic life and also used water to irrigate their crops for farmers.
Green Economy Minister Mike Emoposha said that the government was active since February and was going on to update the public, while the affected communities have been compensated.
Water Development Minister Collins Nazovu said that the government is constantly testing water, and it meets the standards of the World Health Organization.
Opposition Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba said the health warning of the US Embassy was part of geopolitics.
He surprised why the embassy was taken from February to issue an alert, accusing the lead poisoning in Central Zambia, which partially detects its roots for western mining giants.
Maggi Mapi Mava, Executive Director, Center for Environment Justice, told the BBC that pollution was a national disaster that demands immediate and concrete action to reduce its effects and prevent future events.
He called for decisive action to overcome this environmental crisis and protect the rights and goodness of Zambian citizens.