No compensation for lead poisoning victims in Kabwe- Mwale
November 13, 2008
Mines Deputy Minister Maxwell Mwale told parlaiment that
the Government did not have any information of any resident whose health had been affected as a result of lead and could therefore not compensate any individual.He however said that the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) had put in place stringent measures to ensure that pollution at Kabwe Lead Plant was minimised.
Mr Mwale said ZCCM-IH had sunk boreholes, improved domestic water supply in communities affected by lead, provided cover wastes so as to prevent evaporation and embarked on the distribution of food supplements to reduce lead levels in children.
Mr Mwale was responding to a question raised by Kantanshi MP Yamfwa Mukanga (PF) who wanted to know the measures taken to minimise pollution and whether there were plans to compensate residents whose health had been affected by pollution.
Kabwe once boasted one of the largest and richest lead mines in Africa, but it had few pollution controls. Since the closure of the mine in 1994,the town has endured not only economic hardship but also the risk of lead poisoning.
Kabwe’s vegetation, soil and waterways are heavily contaminated with the highly poisonous metal. High levels of lead poisoning effect the entire population, but are particularly high in the children of the area. Children in Kabwe have been found to have as much as 10 times the EPA’s allowable limit of lead in their blood. Lead poisoning symptoms occur in any one whose lead level is above 20, at 120 death can occur.
Children in the area who play in the mud and run off, and young adults who scavenge in the mines for left over bits of metal to sell, have been found with levels over 200.
Labels: KABWE, LEAD, MINING, POLLUTION
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SA firm to re-open Kabwe mine
By Fridah Zinyama
Thursday January 10, 2008 [03:00]
ZCCM Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH) executive director Joseph Chikolwa has said South Africa's Alberg Mining and Exploration is to re-open Kabwe zinc and lead mine. Chikolwa said unlisted Alberg Mining and Exploration would have the task of re-starting Kabwe zinc and lead mine, one of the oldest mines in Zambia, which was abruptly shut in 1994 due to poor management and a lack of capital.
"We have written to Alberg advising them of the offer to re-open Kabwe mine and we are waiting for their response, which should include the timing for negotiations," Chikolwa said.
He however said the financial details of the deal had not yet been finalised.
"Alberg Mining was chosen ahead of Congo Border Resources, Ilifa Commodities Ltd, Leopard Exploration & Mining and Pochy Mining Ltd," Chikolwa said.
Alberg Mining had expressed interest in 2007, to re-open the three shafts to mine lead and zinc in Kabwe.
Chikolwa said the value of the mine and its assets would be subject to negotiations.
"Of course it will have to take into account the value of assets to be sold and provision for environmental liabilities in case of default," Chikolwa said.
He said ZCCM-IH would retain a minimum stake of 20 per cent in the mine once Alberg Mining resumed lead and zinc production.
Chikolwa said the ZCCM-IH would ensure Alberg Mining followed its guidelines on mining lead and zinc, after global environmental campaigners Blacksmith Institute listed Kabwe as one of the world's 10 most polluted towns, blaming the local mine named after the town.
Lead poisoning has left thousands of people in Kabwe, especially children, with high lead content in their blood.
Chikolwa said the ZCCM-IH had developed guidelines for environmental rehabilitation for the new developer as a precaution to avoid future lead contamination.
"We will diligently follow up their actions through monitoring on the ground and our presence or representation at board of director level. We also expect the developer to prepare an environmental management plan to deal with future environmental issues that will be acceptable to us," Chikolwa said.
Alberg Mining said last year that it also planned to produce 12,000 tonnes of blister copper per year after constructing a processing plant at Kabwe through its Zambian subsidiary, Silver Lining Ventures Ltd.
Labels: KABWE, LEAD, MINING, ZCCM-IH, ZINC
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