The US on Wednesday ordered staff in Zambia to immediately leave a massive copper dam spill area following new information about toxic pollution there.
This February 18 spill at a Chinese-owned mine released fifty million litres of toxic waste into a tributary of one of the country’s longest rivers, the Kafue.
The US embassy on social media ordered all US government personnel to immediately withdraw from Kitwe and the nearby areas affected by the spill.
Newly available information reveals the extent of hazardous and carcinogenic substances, including arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other heavy metals in the spill.
The embassy highlighted the immediate and long-term health threats that exposure to these contaminants pose as long as they remain in the environment.
The post did not specify how many people were affected by the order, and the Zambian government did not immediately comment or release similar advice.
The affected area, located about 285 kilometres north of the capital Lusaka, is a major hub for Zambia’s copper production.
The acid spill originally occurred when a tailings dam, which is used to capture waste from the mining process, suddenly collapsed.
Media reports from the region soon after the disaster said the pollution had traveled over 100 kilometres from the dam.
The severe pollution tragically resulted in the widespread killing of fish and livestock, according to reports from the affected area.
This major copper hub is one of the world’s largest production centers and includes significant Chinese investment in the region.
