Another Copperbelt mine closed over pollution
By Teverai Dzeka
The Mine Safety Department has suspended operations at Zhixing Investments Leach Plant in Kalulushi on the Copperbelt, after the tailings dam was found to be polluting the environment.
Department Senior Inspector of Environment, CANISIUS MWENYA says the tailings dam contains acid.
Speaking during the inspection of Zhixing tailings dam, Mr. MWENYA ordered the mine to correct errors and stop the contamination of the environment.
Meanwhile, Mine Safety Department Senior Inspector of Machinery, JAMES MWABU said it is worrying that Zhixing could be careless in handling the acid from the tailings dam.
He said the department will now study the level of contamination of underground water as the leach plant remains closed.
The inspectors have further warned Zhixing Investment not to resume operations before fixing the tailings dam as there will be punishment.
The Mines Safety Department has been conducting a10-day inspection of all mines, following the collapse of the Sino Metals leach tailings dam, which has polluted the Kafue River.
