Zambia rejects US health warning after toxic spill in copper mining zone

Zambia’s government has rejected claims about dangerous pollution in the Copperbelt mining region after the US Embassy.

On Wednesday, the US Embassy issued a warning on health, ordering the immediate cancellation of its staff in the city of Kitta and nearby areas because of the concern of “widespread water and soil pollution” related to the February spill on the Chinese metal mine.

The spill occurred when the dam of the tail dam, which was used to storage toxic waste and heavy metals, collapsed into the Cafa River, a key source of drinking water after heavy rain.

The US Embassy said there was a new information that showed a “degree of dangerous and carcinogenic substances”.

He warned that “contaminated water and soil pollutants from the spilled mine can also become air -shaped, which when inhaled is a threat to health.”

Zambian Government’s press secretary Cornelius Mviet retreated back, saying that “the results of the laboratory show that the pH level came back to the area” and the water was safe to drink.

Mweetwa stated that there were no more serious consequences for health, water safety, agriculture and the environment.

“So, there is absolutely no need to press the” panic button “to disturb the nation and the international community.”

Chinese metal Leach Zambia Mine is a subsidiary of China Nonfertory Metal Mining Group owned by the Chinese government.

BBC asked Chinese metals about comments.

At the time of spilling, the Chinese metal promised to compensate the affected communities and restore the environment.

The spill affected water, as well as farmers who use the water to irrigate the crop.

Green Economy Minister Mike Mposh said the government has been active in February and continued to update the public and the affected communities were offset.

Water Development Minister Collins NZO said the government was constantly checking the water and that it meets the standards of the World Health Organization.

Party leader of the opposition Green Party Peter Sinstamba said the US Embassy’s warning was part of geopolitics.

He wondered why the embassy was needed since February to issue a warning, accusing him of speech of lead poisoning in the central Zambia, which partially traces its roots by the western mining giants.

The Executive Director of the Mega Environmental Protection Center Mapape told the BBC that the pollution was a national disaster that requires immediate and specific actions to mitigate its consequences and prevent future cases.

She called for decisive actions to resolve this environmental crisis and protection of the rights and well -being of Zambia citizens.