Finland offers help on Kafue river pollution

By Mary Kachepa

The Geological Survey of Finland has offered its expertise to Zambia to help in preventing or reducing the risk of pollution from the mines.

Geological Survey of Finland Director General KIMMO TIILIKAINEN says with Zambia’s target to widen the mining sector, it is important to avoid risks or reduce harmful wastes that mines produce.

He says its expertise could be helpful to understand the possible areas of ground water that may have been affected by the tailings dam failure.

Speaking when he paid an courtesy call on Water Development Minister COLLINS NZOVU, Mr. TIILIKAINEN said Geological Survey of Finland is doing a lot of work that could help prevent or reduce the risk of accidents in the future.

Meanwhile Mr. NZOVU said with the THREE- million tonnes copper production yearly target there is need for climate smart technology and expansion of tailing dams.

Mr NZOVU thanked the Government of Finland for its contribution towards the hosting of Pan-African Implementation and Partnership Conference on Water -PANAFCON-3- scheduled for May 27 to 29, 2025.

And Finnish Ambassador to Zambia SAANA HALIEN said Finland is ready to share expertise on the increasing need for mapping of ground water resources after the drought that Zambia experienced last year.