ZAF Neutralising Acid Spill at Chambishi

Members of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) were deployed on an emergency response operation in Chambishi from Sunday, pouring lime onto contaminated parts of the Kafue River.

The operation, which lasted until Monday morning, came in response to an acid spill at the Sino Metals mine, which has resulted in a disruption to local water supplies.

On Monday morning, ZAF posted a video of a Bell 412 helicopter pouring lime onto the Kafue river. This alkaline substance will neutralise the acid in the water and make it safe to drink.

A preliminary report by the Ministry of Mines showed that Sino Metals had been negligent in managing it’s tailing dam, which led to the dam bursting in February.

Since then, the Zambia National Service and Road Development Agency have been providing water bowsers to local residents affected by the contamination. Sino Metals itself has provided 6,000l of diesel to support impacted communities.

Meanwhile, Water Development and Sanitation Minister Collins Nzovu has said that the Chinese company will be required to clean the river and compensate those affected by the pollution. 

Residents of Chambishi and the surrounding area are advised not to use water from the Kafue or Mwambashi rivers and to avoid eating fish from the local area while the cleanup operation is underway.