True stone Mineral Processing Limited a chines owned manganese mining company in Mkushi’s Chalata area has diverted water from Kafwa Stream to wash manganese.
Green Economy and Environment Minister Eng Collins Nzovu said it is a source of concern that some mining companies in Mkushi District have continued polluting streams through tailings (mine waste) discharge, which is a violation of people’s rights to clean water and good health.
During spot inspections of manganese processing plants in the district, it was discovered that Truestone mining company in Chalata area had diverted water from Kafwa Stream for purposes of obtaining water to wash manganese. The water from the manganese wash plant finds its way back to the stream through tailings (mine waste) discharge.
Efforts to however get a comment from True stone Mineral Processing Limited proved futile by press time.
Eng Nzovu said in a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times –ZBT – that the manganese wash plant was found operating despite the plant being issued with an Environmental Protection Order in September 2022 by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency that ceased all operations at the manganese wash plant.
The Minister urged the local authorities through the District Commissioner’s office to collaborate with the Ministry to enhance efforts in ensuring compliance by the mining and processing plants as the pollution has the potential to harm the environment and human health of the local people.
“The Ministry would like to caution all the mining and processing plants to comply with the Environment Management Act No.12 of 2011 and would like to encourage ZEMA to continue conducting routine inspections to ensure compliance.”
Meanwhile, Nzovu has encouraged the culprits to emulate those that have complied with environmental regulations with respect to the Environmental Orders served on them and have put in place measures to mitigate pollution.
In separate interview with ZBT Mkushi District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe appealed to investors to always adhere and follow the law and ensure that the lives of people are protected at all costs. Kapungwe could however not confirm how many manganese mines are in the District and are complying with the environmental regulations.
The Commissioner however noted that most of the manganese mines are complying with Government regulation of protecting the environment by putting in place necessary mechanisms to reduce pollution in the district
