Zambian Government Rejects U.S. Embassy’s Toxic Contamination Alert Following Chinese Mine Spill

Lusaka – The Zambian government has dismissed a U.S. Embassy health advisory warning of severe environmental contamination in the Kitwe region following a February waste spill from a Chinese-operated mine, insisting that the situation is under control and does not warrant alarm.

The incident originated from a breach at the Sino Metals Leach Zambia tailings dam, which released millions of gallons of acidic effluent into the surrounding waterways—prompting concern over long-term ecological and health impacts. However, Zambian officials maintain that the crisis has been largely mitigated.

At a press briefing on Thursday, Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated that water quality in the affected area has significantly improved. “Current pH levels are within the safe range, and concentrations of heavy metals continue to decline,” Mweetwa said. “The immediate threat to human, animal, and plant life has been averted. There is no cause for panic—either locally or internationally.”

The response came a day after the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka issued a health alert advising staff and American citizens to evacuate Kitwe, citing “hazardous and carcinogenic substances” detected in the region, including arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other heavy metals. The alert characterized the risk as both immediate and long-term, sparking concern among residents and international observers.

Mweetwa emphasized that while only 37 out of 200 water samples tested so far had met safety standards, further testing is ongoing and no fatalities linked to the spill have been reported. He accused the embassy of issuing a premature and potentially fear-mongering statement.

Despite government assurances, local media reported that the contaminated effluent had spread across a 100-kilometer stretch of the river, allegedly killing fish and livestock and fueling anxiety among affected communities. Environmental groups have called for increased transparency and long-term monitoring.

The operator of the mine, a Chinese-owned company, is said to be cooperating with authorities and funding mitigation and clean-up operations, according to a report by Reuters.

This latest incident has drawn comparisons to Zambia’s notorious Kabwe mine legacy, where decades of lead pollution have impacted over 100,000 people, creating one of the most enduring environmental health crises in the country’s history.

As global powers continue to invest in Africa's rich natural resources, the Sino Metals case underscores the growing tensions between industrial development, environmental accountability, and geopolitical interests on the continent.