Independent Assessment to Expose Extent of Sino Metals Damage

The government will commission an independent assessment to determine the full extent of damage caused by Sino Metals’ pollution, according to Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha. He confirmed that procurement of a consultant is underway and expected to conclude within the month.

“In the absence of a comprehensive assessment, you cannot start talking about a cleanup,” Mposha noted.

Drizit Zambia, a company contracted by Sino-Metals to assess the environmental damage, reported that more than 1.5 million tonnes of waste material spilled following the dam failure. The findings exceed Sino Metal’s initial report that 50,000 tonnes of waste material spilled. However, Mposha said he had not received an official copy of the findings and could not comment further.

Mposha explained that Sino Metals’ contract with Drizit collapsed amid a dispute, leaving no official report on record. “This report was being expected by the end of May. Unfortunately, there was a dispute between Sino Metals and the consultant… I was alerted that there had been a termination as a result,” Mposha said.

In response, the government invoked Section 107 of the Environmental Management Act to take over the assessment process.  

Mposha stressed that the government is making quick progress of appointing a new firm, adding that the government will continue to handle the matter with urgency.

“Our desire is to ensure that our people are not affected in any way, and that they are assured of a quality environment once the cleanup is done, based on the comprehensive assessment which will be undertaken,” he said.