Civil society organisations have voiced strong opposition to the government’s decision to permit Sino Metals to resume mining operations.
In a statement, the Zambia Environmental Justice Coalition declared that the move was premature and deeply troubling.
It stressed that the collapse of the tailings dam last year, which polluted the Kafue River, remains unresolved.
The coalition emphasised that the government’s justification, based on dam reconstruction, fails to address wider restoration concerns.
It pointed out that clarity is lacking on whether Sino Metals has implemented the measures ordered by ZEMA.
The CSOs highlighted that victims in Kalusale have not yet been evacuated from contaminated areas.
They warned that pollutants continue to linger at the bottom of the Mwambashi and Kafue Rivers.
The organisations noted that compensation and relocation of affected communities remain incomplete.
They argued that rebuilding the dam alone cannot be the sole criterion for resuming operations.
The Coalition underscored that regulatory and technical deficiencies persist in the oversight of the mine.
It drew attention to the consultant’s report by Applied Science and Technology Associates, which recommended remediation measures still ignored.
Activists cautioned that irreversible long-term effects will follow if these concerns are not addressed.
They criticised the absence of a documented tailings management system, operating procedures, and logbooks.
It was further observed that no evidence exists of regulatory approval for the dam’s design or construction.
The Coalition urged the government to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and decisive action to protect both people and the environment.
