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KCM Faces Action over Kafue River & Chingola Water Pollution
Government has issued a Restoration Order to Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- following...
By Nyambe Nalishebo
Government has issued a Restoration Order to Konkola Copper Mines -KCM- following the pollution of the Mushishima Stream and Kafue River in Chingola District on September 28, 2026
The order directs KCM to immediately stop discharging effluent from the Tailings Leach Plant into the environment, remove visible tailings material from the affected areas and clean up the polluted water bodies.
Green Economy and Environment Minister GILBERT SIAME says KCM has also been ordered to carry out a comprehensive assessment of all Pollution Control Dams, tailings pipelines and related infrastructure.
Dr. SIAME says the company must also undertake clean-up and remediation of the affected water bodies.
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In a statement issued to ZNBC News, Dr. SIAME said Government has issued a Cost Order requiring KCM to meet laboratory analysis and related costs, in line with the Polluter Pays Principle
He said weekly monitoring of water quality will continue.
DrSIAME said the Zambia Environmental Management Agency -ZEMA- received a notification from KCM’s Nchanga Mine on September 28, reporting discolouration of the Kafue River, which the company attributed to a pipe leak and an overflow from a Pollution Control Dam.
He said a joint inspection by ZEMA, Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company and KCM confirmed that discharge had entered the Chingola Stream, Mushishima Stream and Kafue River.
Dr. SIAME said preliminary results showed elevated turbidity and conductivity at the confluence of the Mushishima Stream and Kafue River, while pH levels were within acceptable limits.
He said further tests are being conducted to determine the levels of heavy metals.
DrSIAME said Government is consulting stakeholders on possible penalties against the polluter and called on mining companies to operate responsibly and comply with environmental regulations.
Source: Zambia24 — Read more
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