Authorities and environmentalists in Zambia are concerned about the long-term effects of an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine that polluted a major river, potentially impacting millions of people after pollution signs were detected over 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream.

The incident occurred on February 18, when a tailings dam at a northern copper mine, which stores acidic waste, collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia.

Dhaka air ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’ Sunday morning

This collapse released around 50 million liters of toxic waste, containing concentrated acid, dissolved solids, and heavy metals, into a stream connected to the Kafue River, Zambia's main waterway, the institution reported.

“It’s a catastrophic environmental disaster,” said Chilekwa Mumba, an environmental activist from Zambia's Copperbelt Province.

China is a key player in Zambia's copper mining industry, with Zambia being one of the world’s top 10 copper producers, a critical material in smartphones and other technology.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema called for expert assistance, acknowledging that the leak poses a crisis threatening people and wildlife along the Kafue River, which stretches over 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) through central Zambia.

The full extent of the environmental damage is still under investigation.

A river died overnight An Associated Press journalist visited the Kafue River, where dead fish were seen washing ashore about 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream from the mine operated by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, majority-owned by the state-run China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group.

The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation confirmed the "devastating consequences," which included the destruction of crops along the river's banks. Authorities also worry that groundwater could become contaminated as the mining waste seeps into the soil or spreads to other areas.

“Before February 18, this river was thriving,” said Sean Cornelius, a local resident, describing how fish died and birdlife vanished almost immediately. “Now it’s completely lifeless, like a totally dead river. It’s unbelievable. It died overnight.”

How Green Industries Can Reduce River Water Pollution in Dhaka City

Around 60% of Zambia’s 20 million people live in the Kafue River basin and rely on it for fishing, agriculture irrigation, and industrial water. The river provides drinking water to around five million people, including in the capital, Lusaka.

The acid spill caused a complete shutdown of the water supply to Kitwe, a city of around 700,000 people.

Efforts to reverse the damage In response, the Zambian government has mobilized the air force to drop hundreds of tons of lime into the river to neutralize the acid. Speedboats are also used to apply lime along the river.

Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa called the situation “extremely serious,” adding that Sino-Metals Leach Zambia would be responsible for the cleanup costs.

Zhang Peiwen, chairman of Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, met with government officials this week and apologized for the spill, according to a transcript released by his company.

“This disaster has raised a major alarm for Sino-Metals Leach and the mining industry,” he stated. “We are committed to restoring the affected environment as quickly as possible.”

Discontent with Chinese presence The environmental impact of China’s vast mining operations in mineral-rich parts of Africa, including Zambia’s neighboring countries Congo and Zimbabwe, has faced significant criticism, even as the minerals are vital to the economies of these nations.

Chinese-owned copper mines have been accused of disregarding safety, labor, and other regulations in Zambia while attempting to control the country’s copper supply. This has led to discontent with their presence. Zambia also has over $4 billion in debt to China, and the country had to restructure some of its loans after defaulting in 2020.

A smaller acid leak from another Chinese-owned mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt region was discovered shortly after the Sino-Metals incident, with authorities accusing the smaller mine of trying to conceal it.

Local police reported the death of a mine worker who fell into the acid, and alleged that the mine continued operating despite an order from authorities to cease operations. Two Chinese mine managers have been arrested.

Both mines have now halted operations following orders from Zambian authorities, though many locals remain angry.

Powerful March storm sparks wildfires, causes fatalities, raises Tornado concerns

“This highlights the negligence some investors have toward environmental protection,” said Mweene Himwinga, an environmental engineer who attended the meeting with Zhang, government officials, and others. “They seem to have no concern or regard at all. This is worrying because, at the end of the day, it’s the only land we have as Zambians.”