Zambia Faces Mounting Scandals Over Lead and Copper Mining Disasters

Human Rights Research Center
36 minutes ago
3 min read

September 8, 2025

HRRC condemns the continued exploitation and reckless handling of toxic waste in Zambia as an assault on the right to life and right to a healthy environment. HRRC urges the Zambian government to enforce its environmental laws, suspend violators, and initiate a transparent, community-centered remediation program to safeguard future generations.

Trucks at the “Black Mountain,” the concession of Enviro Processing Limited (EPL) that holds much of Kabwe’s mine lead waste, Kabwe, Zambia. [Image credit: © 2023 Trajectory Media/Al Jazeera English]

Zambia is battling two major mining-linked environmental crises as rights groups demand accountability for toxic pollution endangering millions.

In Kabwe, one of the world’s most polluted places, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Jubilee Metals Group and its subsidiary Enviro Processing Limited (EPL) of selling toxic lead waste in breach of environmental law. Contracts from February 2025 show EPL partnered with Zambian firm Chitofu General Dealers and Chinese company Union Star Industry to sell “zinc tailings,” despite confirmed lead contamination. Observers reported trucks marked “Chitofu” hauling waste as recently as July.

The health impact is severe: over 95% of children near Kabwe have elevated blood lead levels, half requiring urgent medical care. Lead overexposure over a short period of time can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, dehydration, headache, exhaustion, irritability, weakness, appetite loss, memory loss, pain or tingling in your hands or feet. Over a long period, it may lead to depression, decreased lung function, bone or tooth loss and fertility problems for both men and women. Children as young as seven scavenge in contaminated areas for income, risking further exposure. Although four Chinese firms’ business licenses were suspended for environmental violations in Kabwe, no action has been taken against EPL or Chitofu, fueling concerns of political favouritism due to Chitofu’s ruling party ties.

Separately, in February 2025, a tailings dam collapsed at Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, releasing 1.5 million tons of toxic waste into the Kafue River, a vital waterway for nearly half of Zambia’s 21 million people. Independent testing found contamination far above safety limits, but the government has downplayed the disaster. Affected farmers, who lost crops and livestock, are preparing a USD $200 million lawsuit against Sino-Metals and demanding a USD $9.7 billion environmental fund.

As demand for copper and zinc surges globally, Zambia faces growing scrutiny to balance mineral exploitation with environmental protection and community health.

Glossary

Accountability – being responsible for your actions and facing the consequences.
Accuses– says that someone has done something wrong.
Blatant – very obvious and done without shame.
Breach – breaking a rule, law, or agreement.
Condemns – strongly says something is wrong or bad.
Contamination – making something dirty, poisonous, or unsafe.
Elevated – raised or higher than normal.
Endangering – putting someone or something at risk of harm.
Enforcement – making sure rules or laws are followed.
Executive – the part of the government that carries out and enforces laws.
Exploitation – unfair use of people or resources for one’s own benefit.
Hauling – pulling or carrying something heavy.
Humane / Inhumane – kind and caring / cruel and lacking kindness.
Inflation – when the prices of goods and services rise over time.
International law – rules that countries agree to follow in dealing with each other.
Legislature – the part of the government that makes laws (like parliament).
Livestock – farm animals such as cows, goats, or chickens.
Political favoritism – giving unfair advantages to friends or supporters in politics.
Reckless – not caring about risks or dangers; careless.
Rehabilitation – helping people, animals, or places recover after damage or illness.
Remediation program – a plan to fix or clean up pollution or damage.
Scandal – a shocking event that makes people angry or ashamed.
Scavenge – search through waste or rubbish to find useful things.
Scrutiny – close and careful examination.
Serves / Severe – works for a purpose / very serious or harsh.
Subsidiary – a company controlled by another, bigger company.
Suspend – stop something temporarily.
Tailings – leftover waste material from mining.
Zinc tailing – mining waste containing zinc.

Sources

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Zambia Faces Mounting Scandals Over Lead and Copper Mining Disasters

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