Acid Spill From Chambishi
In February 2025, a major environmental disaster occurred when a tailings dam at Sino Metals Leach Zambia's Chambishi mine collapsed, releasing 50 million liters of acidic waste into the Kafue River. This caused significant ecological damage, killing fish, destroying crops, and contaminating the water supply for millions, including the city of Kitwe, which experienced a complete water shutdown.
In response, the Zambian government mandated that Sino Metals compensate affected communities and halt operations until safety measures were improved. The Zambia Air Force was deployed to neutralize the acid in the river with lime, aiming to restore water safety.
An investigation found that the spill was due to operational negligence by Sino Metals, and the government initiated an independent probe into the environmental damage. The incident has raised concerns about the environmental practices of Chinese-owned mining operations in Zambia, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent future disasters.