Another acid leakage as Rong Xing mining licence is suspended

By ROGERS KALERO

RONG Xing Mineral processing plant whose operations have been suspended by the government over an acid leakage, has said it will effectively address the concerns raised by the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation
Company Public Relations Manager Destiny Xian said the mining company appreciated the concerns raised by the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation, Minister of Mines Paul Kabuswe and the Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo, and had since proceeded to address the concerns raised
Ms Xian was speaking in an interview after government, through the three ministers announced that operations at Rong Xing mineral processing plant had been halted until immediate remedial measures were undertaken by the company.
She said, on Saturday, the three ministers toured the tailing dams at Rong Xing as part of the industrial checkup after what happened at Sino-Metals Leach Limited and found that there was a small leakage which the ministers demanded that it should be fixed
After that, we started work by blocking the leakages. About five excavators have been working as the Ministers advised. I can tell you that the concerns raised by the ministers will be addressed
“Am sure that, by the time the Ministers will come back to check, all their concerns will be addressed. We will put every thing in place and to the satisfaction of various stakeholders,’ Ms Xian said
During the weekend, Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Collins Nzovu suspended mining operations at Rongxing Mineral processing plant in Kalulushi district over acid leakage detected from it’s tailings dam
Mr Nzovu said the disregard for environmental regulations displayed by the company was a serious source of concern which had led to operations at the company to be halted.
“No, this is not right. I can tell you that I am appalled by the blatant disregard for environmental regulations and this needs to stop so that people’s lives and the environment is protected,” Mr Nzovu said.
Mr Nzovu was speaking on Saturday when he paid an impromptu visit to the mining company in the company of Copperbelt Province minister Elisha Matambo
Mr Nzovu warned that failure to have the tailings dam worked on can contribute to the collapse of the dam which will put people’s lives in danger.
Mr Nzovu had instructed ZEMA and WARMA officers to remain at the company until the leakage was stopped ,while issuing a warning to all investors that Government will not tolerate the disregard of environmental regulations.

“Let me sound this warning that non compliance on the regulations for any company will result in severe penalties, prosecution and imprisonment.,’’ he said