Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese-Linked Mining Firms for $80 Billion Over Toxic Spill
Subsistence farmers blame the collapse of a copper mining waste dam for widespread environmental damage and health risks in Zambia's Copperbelt region.
Farmers in Zambia's Copperbelt have filed an $80 billion lawsuit against two Chinese-linked companies, alleging an "ecological catastrophe" after a dam collapse released acidic waste into local waterways.
The February breach of the tailings dam flooded rivers with millions of liters of toxic sludge, killing fish, contaminating drinking water and destroying crops, court documents say.
The lawsuit, one of Zambia’s largest environmental claims, represents about 300,000 households who rely on farming. The US embassy issued a health alert in August, warning of widespread water and soil contamination.
Dam Collapse and Legal Action
The suit names Sino Metals Leach Zambia and NFC Africa Mining, subsidiaries of Chinese state-owned enterprises. 176 farmers have filed the case in Lusaka’s High Court, blaming engineering failures, construction flaws and mismanagement for the disaster.
Sino Metals previously acknowledged a spill of about 50,000 cubic meters, saying the release was "promptly brought under control." The farmers, however, say they learned of the toxic risks days after the collapse.
Health and Environmental Impact
Villagers report symptoms ranging from chest tightness to blood in urine. Even wells dug for safe water were polluted, forcing residents to burn contaminated crops.
Demands and Emergency Funds
The plaintiffs demand the companies deposit $80 billion into a government-managed account for "environmental reparations" and full compensation. They also call for a $20 million emergency fund for immediate relief and detailed health and environmental assessments.
In response to the crisis, the US embassy withdrew personnel from Kitwe and surrounding areas over fears that airborne contaminants from the tailings could pose inhalation risks.
Zambian government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, however, downplayed the public health threat, saying there was "no need to press the panic button."
The tailings dam collapse in Zambia’s Copperbelt has sparked one of the country’s largest environmental lawsuits, with subsistence farmers seeking $80 billion in damages for health and ecological harm.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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