Archive · 2 Sep 2025
Zambian River Polluted By Toxic Spill from Chinese-Owned Mine
Imagine a factory that makes copper accidentally spilled a bunch of yucky stuff into the river that people use for drinking and growing food.
This happened in Zambia, and the company that owns the factory is from China.
The spill included poisonous things like cyanide and arsenic.
The spill made the water unsafe, and killed fish.
Even though the company said the problem was fixed, other experts said the spill was much worse than reported.
The US Embassy removed its workers because of the dangers.
Now, the government is trying to clean up the mess.
A toxic spill from a Chinese-owned mine polluted the Kafue River in Zambia.
The spill, which released dangerous substances, was far worse than initially reported.
The Kafue River is a water source for over half of Zambia's population.
The Zambian government and the US Embassy responded to the crisis.
Chinese investment is key to Zambia's copper mining industry.
- Who
- Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a Chinese-owned mining company
- What
- A toxic spill from a mine polluted the Kafue River.
- When
- February (spill); ongoing investigation and cleanup efforts.
- Where
- Near Kitwe, Zambia, affecting the Kafue River.
- Why
- A dam holding waste from the mine collapsed, releasing toxins.
Drizit's Findings
Sino-Metals' Stance
Severity of Spill
Drizit's Findings
Drizit claims the spill was significantly worse, with massive amounts of toxic materials released.
Sino-Metals' Stance
Sino-Metals disputed the findings of Drizit.
Cleanup and Responsibility
Drizit's Findings
Drizit indicated proper cleanup is needed to ensure people aren't at risk for decades.
Sino-Metals' Stance
Sino-Metals said it would help with the cleanup.
- Mine Owner
- Sino-Metals Leach Zambia (subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group)
- Location of Spill
- Kitwe, Zambia
- River Polluted
- Kafue River
- Toxic Substances
- Cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, etc.
- Estimated Toxic Release
- 1.5 million tons (according to Drizit)
- Impact
- Water supply shut down, fish killed, crops destroyed
- Reliance on Kafue River
- Over half of Zambia's population