(LUSAKATIMES) KCM pleads guilty to environmental pollution
KCM pleads guilty to environmental pollutionFriday, November 26, 2010, 7:20
By LusakaTimes
The Chingola magistrates court has fined KONKOLA Copper Mines (KCM) K21.97 million after the mining company pleaded guilty to four counts of polluting the environment contrary to the laws of Zambia. Particulars of the offence are that KCM, a Copperbelt based mining giant, polluted the Kafue river between October 29 and 31, 2010 in Chingola.
On the first count, the court fined KCM K10.8 million, on the second count K10.8 million, on the third count K270,000 and K100,000 on the fourth count. On the first count, KCM was charged with polluting the environment contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
On the second count, KCM was charged with discharging poisonous, toxic, ecotoxic, obnoxious or obstructing matter, radiation or other pollutant into the aquatic environment contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
KCM pleaded guilty to discharging pregnant liqour solution from the Tailing Leach plant, a poisonous, toxic and obonoxious matter into the Kafue river during the said period.
On the third count KCM was fined for willfully failing to report an act or incident of pollution of the environment namely the Kafue River, to the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ).
On the fourth count, KCM was charged with failure to comply with the requirements for discharge of effluent contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
This was after KCM failed to comply with the requirements for discharge of effluent into the aquatic environment by discharging Pregnant Liqour Solution with concentration above statutory limits in October, 2010. KCM pleaded guilty to the four counts in court yesterday and they were asked to pay the fine before November 28, 2010.
KCM a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc intends to float its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) through a holding company called Konkola Resources plc.
The Zambian government has praised the listing of KCM on the London Stock Exchange describing the move as a landmark achievement for not just the company but the country as a whole.
Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane says the government as a stakeholder of KCM had seen the success of its investment programme over the years.
Labels: COURTS, ENVIRONMENT, KCM, POLLUTION
posted by MrK @ 6:23 PM
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