17 Cattle Die from Cyanide Contamination in Mumbwa District
ZANIS -Seventeen cattle have died after drinking contaminated water near Bubanji Resources Limited and Ozone mines in Mumbwa district.
Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe says fourteen cattle died after consuming water contaminated with cyanide following a spillage near Bubanji mine.
Dr. Mwanakampwe told ZANIS in Kabwe that the animals are reported to have consumed the water from a free natural grazing area.
He said three cattle are reported to have died under similar circumstances where a tailings dam is said to have burst at Ozone mine.
Dr. Mwanakampwe said the bursting of the dam led to the release of effluent into nearby cattle drinking ponds, killing three.
He added that the spilled tailings have been neutralized to prevent further harm to the environment.
Dr. Mwanakampwe also said the government is working in a multi-sectoral manner to contain pollution of water in the Kafue River, which may affect wildlife in the Kafue National Park if not curtailed.
He said three choppers have been dispatched to Ngabwe district, and the application of lime to improve the pH levels has started.
