Zambia presses in China for more compensation after toxic spill in the copper mine Kitwe

Zambia’s government states that it will seek greater compensation to communities affected by the toxic spill from the Chinese Copper mine if necessary after a complete assessment.

The spilling heavily sour waste with toxic heavy metals occurred in February, when the platinum containing the waste from Chinese metals, the zambia liner mine fell apart, polluting the key river, which is the main source of drinking water.

The firm apologized and promised to compensate for the victims, but Zambia’s vice president Mutut says that “it may not be”, adding that the safety of the Zambians “is not subject”.

Some embassies have warned their citizens to avoid the territory of health risks.

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

Initially, the company reported that only 50,000 tons of waste were poured into the waterways that connect to the Kafa River near the northern city of Kitta.

But the environmental company based in South Africa, which stated that it had concluded a syn-metal contract to explore the degree of spilling that the catastrophe led to the release of 1.5 million tons of toxic material.

After a two -month investigation, Drizit said about 900,000 cubic meters of toxic tails are still present in the environment.

“These materials revealed that containing a dangerous level of cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium and other pollutants that create significant long -term health risks, including damage to organs, congenital defects and cancer,” ” Company said in the report last month.

Chinese metals challenged the accuracy of Drizit’s conclusions, and in a statement asashirate the press stated that he stopped the contract with the company, citing “contractual violations”.

A Advisory journey through the Finnish government last month It was shown that water spill samples contained 24 different heavy metals, 16 of which, including lead, arsenic, zinc and uranium, exceeded safety thresholds established by the World Health Organization.

The US Embassy also issued a warning on health care, ordering the immediate abolition of its staff in the city of Kitta and nearby areas with the concern of “widespread water and soil pollution”.

However, the Zambian government downgraded the threat, saying that there were no more serious health consequences.

In statement On Thursday, Human Rights Watch said the acid pollution “killed the fish, burned corn and crops nuts, and also led to the death of livestock, wiping the livelihood of local farmers.”

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

Recognizing the 580,000 dollars (430,000 pounds) as a “step in the right direction”, Zambia’s vice president said on Wednesday that the payment “should be managed by a thorough and independent assessment.”

“If the harm of land and livelihoods to be wider or prolonged than initially clear, then additional compensation will be necessary, and it will be implemented,” Nalumago said at a meeting with film metals.

Environmental activists reported HRW that community members in the affected areas still complain of headaches, coughs, diarrhea and other health problems that have increased after spilling.

Some of the victims said they did not receive the promised compensation, HRW reports.

Since then, the authorities have banned the fishing river on the cafe and opened the Air Force and boxes to give up lime to reduce acidity on the affected waterways.

Zambia is one of the top 10 countries that produce copper, and its economy depends heavily on the mining sector.

Additional reporting WYCLIFFE MUIA