By BEATRICE MWILAMBWE
Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu has expressed concern that some mining companies in Mkushi have continued polluting streams through tailings (mine waste) discharge, which is a violation of people’s rights to clean water and good health.
A team of officers from the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment comprising the Forestry and Meteorological departments, and the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) have continued on spot compliance inspections of manganese mining and mineral processing facilities, forest reserves and meteorological infrastructure in Central Province.
During spot inspections of manganese processing plants in the district, it was discovered that a mining company in Chalata area had diverted water from Kafwa Stream for purposes of obtaining water to wash manganese. The water from the manganese wash plant finds its way back to the stream through tailings (mine waste) discharge.
This is according to a statement issued by the communications unit of the ministry of Green Economy and Environment. The manganese wash plant was found operating despite the plant being issued with an Environmental Protection Order in September 2022 by the ZEMA that ceased all operations at the manganese wash plant.
Mr Nzovu noted with concern that pollution in the Kafwa Stream was the worst violation for the people of Kafwa area in the district.
“The public may wish to know that some of the mining plants in Mkushi have complied with environmental regulations with respect to the Environmental Orders served on them while others still need to comply. Therefore, the Government would like to commend those that have complied and encourage others to emulate those that have put in place measures to mitigate pollution. The Government is ready to support Manganese Mining Companies adhering to environmental laws,” the statement reads.
Mr Nzovu cautioned all the mining and processing plants to comply to the Environment Management Act No.12 of 2011 and encouraged ZEMA to continue conducting routine inspections to ensure compliance.
The Minister urged the local authorities through the District Commissioner’s office to collaborate with the Ministry to enhance efforts in ensuring compliance by the mining and processing plants as the pollution has the potential to harm the environment and human health of the local people.
Mkushi District Commissioner, Jonathan Kapungwe thanked the Ministry for intensifying the on-spot compliance monitoring of manganese mining in the District.
Mr Kapungwe noted that most of the manganese mines were complying to Government regulation of protecting the environment by putting in place necessary mechanisms to reduce pollution in the district
Mr Kapungwe assured the Minister of support from Mkushi District authorities.
