Maravi

Mopani's acid mists attract investigations

Mopani's acid mists attract investigations
By Misheck Wangwe in Kitwe
Wed 25 Jan. 2012, 13:40 CAT

CITIZENS for Better Environment (CBE) has sent a team of experts to Mufulira to ascertain the level of acid mists released by Mopani Copper Mines that are affecting people's health.

Over 3,200 residents of Butondo township in Mufulira on Wednesday last week resolved to sue Mopani Copper Mines over the acid mists the company has continued to release from its West Heap Leaching Mine.

CBE executive director Peter Sinkamba said of late, all stakeholders, including the government, have strongly emphasised the need for enhanced environmental management and protection of citizens from pollution.

Sinkamba said the company had come up with a proposed Kankoyo community-based environmental management project that would provide a platform for identifying and addressing environmental and public health liabilities.

He said the organisation wanted to measure key performance indicators that include the percentage of remaining priority environmental liabilities in Mufulira and identify sustainable remedies with meaningful community participation.

Sinkamba said there was need to enhance the capacity of key stakeholders involved in improving compliance with mining-related environmental management regulations.

"We have a report about the situation in Mufulira and we want to establish facts and if the company (Mopani) is following laid down procedures and mining regulations. We want to know the impact of the emissions being released. We will make our findings known once we establish the facts," Sinkamba.

And Butondo residents have appealed to the government to compel Mopani Copper Mines to stop their mining activity called heap leaching at its Mufulira West Mine.

Community spokesperson Agnes Nkonde said the only options were the company changing the type of mining or to relocating Butondo township by constructing houses elsewhere.

"We will take Mopani Copper Mines to court because we have been affected a lot and we know our lives are in danger. We have been exposed to lot of chemicals and our people are dying, some people can't see properly and our children cough every day," Nkonde said.

"We don't know if we will wake up tomorrow because these chemicals are just too strong and we can't even sleep at night."

Labels: CBE, MOPANI, PETER SINKAMBA

posted by MrK @ 5:10 PM