By Celestina Tiyankenji Mbewe.

The devastating effects of acid effluents from mining operations, particularly the recent incident at Sino Metals Leach Zambia, have severely polluted the Mwambashi and Kafue rivers, harming local communities, destroying crops, and posing serious health risks.

While the government, through agencies like the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), has taken some action, environmental groups and experts question the effectiveness of existing regulations, enforcement mechanisms, and environmental impact assessments (EIAs).

African Rivers, a non-profit conservation organisation focused on protecting Africa’s rivers and empowering communities through research, advocacy, and education on environmental sustainability, joins other advocates who argue that current laws, such as the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011, fail to prevent such disasters. They criticise the transparency and effectiveness of EIAs and question whether mining companies are truly held accountable for their environmental impact.

Critics highlight systemic failures in emergency response efforts, accusing authorities of taking reactive rather than preventive measures. The collapse of the Sino Metals Leach Acid Tailings Dam, which released acid into local rivers, underscores the urgent need for better monitoring, emergency preparedness, and corporate accountability.

Despite government assurances of stricter oversight, scepticism remains. Environmental advocates call for stronger enforcement of the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP), timely compensation for affected communities, and an independent audit of environmental impacts to ensure the long-term protection of Zambia’s vital water resources.

At a media briefing on March 7, 2025, African Rivers Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sikaala warned that without stricter laws and better enforcement, Zambia’s water sources would remain under threat.

“The situation is dire. Our rivers, the lifeblood of communities, are being poisoned,” he said, urging the government to strengthen the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 and push mining companies toward sustainable practices.

Dr. Sikaala also called for a multi-sectoral task force to oversee fair compensation for victims of environmental damage and ensure the swift restoration of affected areas.

Rivers are a source of life, peace, and opportunities. If we do not take collective action now, the future of our water resources will be at serious risk, he emphasised.

His warning raises serious questions about Zambia’s ability to protect its rivers from industrial pollution. Concerns are mounting, especially after ZEMA recently approved 203 projects worth $3.3 billion: 130 of them in the mining sector. While ZEMA insists it has tightened conditions for tailings storage and waste management to prevent groundwater contamination, doubts remain about the agency’s effectiveness.

Environmental advocates warn of systemic failures in enforcing pollution laws. The increasing frequency of disasters, like the one at Sino Metals Leach Zambia, suggests government action alone may not be enough. Questions persist about the transparency of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and whether companies are truly being held accountable for the damage they cause.

Zambia stands at a critical crossroads. While mining remains a key economic driver, its environmental impact cannot be ignored. Will the government and mining companies take meaningful steps to protect the country’s rivers, or will pollution and inaction continue to erode Zambia’s most vital natural resources?

Even as pollution concerns grow, ZEMA Board Chairperson Professor Lovejoy Malambo recently assured the public that new measures are in place to prevent groundwater contamination.

“We are prioritising emergency preparedness and strict monitoring of stored waste,” he said.

However, reports indicate Sino Metals faced pollution concerns as far back as 2016, raising a pressing question: Is ZEMA merely rubber-stamping mining projects without ensuring compliance with environmental laws?

Environmental watchdogs argue that pollution-related disasters are not just accidents but symptoms of systemic failure. Weak enforcement, possible corruption, and inadequate staffing within regulatory bodies are worsening the crisis.

“There are questions about the transparency of Environmental Impact Assessments and whether companies are truly being held accountable,” said Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN) National Coordinator Lydia Chimambo.

Environmental advocates are demanding an independent audit of pollution levels in Zambia’s rivers, particularly in areas surrounding the Kafue River.

“This disaster could have been prevented with proper oversight,” Chimambo added. “It is time to hold those responsible accountable not just for this one incident, but for the long-term environmental damage being inflicted on our country.”

The collapse of the Sino Metals Leach Acid Tailings Dam in Chambishi has triggered an environmental crisis, exposing critical weaknesses in Zambia’s emergency preparedness and enforcement of environmental regulations.

Luwita Kanema Changula, President of the Impact Assessment Association of Zambia (IAAZ), warned that the acid discharge into the Mwambashi Stream and its spread to the Kafue River reflect systemic failures that demand urgent attention.

Changula criticised the government’s response, noting that authorities reacted too slowly. “The response should have been immediate and data-driven, with rigorous water quality testing at multiple downstream points to determine the full extent of the contamination,” he said.

He also stressed that predicting the contamination movement required analysing the river’s flow rate to enable early intervention and minimise environmental damage. While lime was used to neutralise the acid, its application should have been guided by continuous water quality monitoring to prevent secondary impacts on the aquatic ecosystem.

Environmental experts say a key lesson from this disaster is the disconnect between environmental impact documentation and actual enforcement.

While companies are required to develop EIAs and emergency response plans, Changula noted that these documents are often treated as mere compliance formalities rather than practical tools for disaster management.

“If a proper emergency plan existed, its execution was ineffective. The lack of urgency in responding to the crisis points to serious regulatory failures,” he stated.

He called for stronger accountability measures to ensure that companies not only draft environmental management plans but also actively implement and review them. He also urged ZEMA and the Mines Safety Department to step up inspections and proactive monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Sino Metals has accepted responsibility for the spill and committed to covering cleanup costs, ecosystem restoration, and community compensation. However, Changula stressed the need for full enforcement of the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) to ensure taxpayers are not left to shoulder the financial burden of corporate negligence.

He also called for a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment to document the damage to aquatic life, public health, and the livelihoods of communities reliant on the Kafue River.

“Compensation must be timely and adequate. It’s not just about cleaning up the river, it’s about restoring the livelihoods of those affected and ensuring such disasters do not happen again,” Changula said.

In response to mounting criticism, ZEMA insists it is strengthening its compliance efforts. In a statement, the agency revealed it has increased monitoring inspections and is in the process of establishing a multi-sectoral emergency response team.

Additionally, ZEMA has restructured its Operations Department into Licensing and Compliance Services to streamline enforcement and has opened new satellite offices in Solwezi and Mansa to enhance on-the-ground monitoring.

However, questions remain about transparency. When asked whether the public can access EIAs for approved projects, ZEMA confirmed that while the documents are available online and in hard copy, access remains limited.

Celestina is a fellow in the Wildlife Crime Prevention’s (WCP) Environmental Crimes Journalism fellowship, supported by the US Embassy. The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, provides training in investigative journalism and supports journalists in producing impactful stories that promote environmental protection and drive change.