Mwense, 25 November 2025 — Care for Nature Zambia has called for the immediate closure of a copper mine in Mwense District, accusing the operation of repeatedly endangering human life, livestock, and biodiversity due to ongoing pollution.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Executive Director Nsama Musonda Kearns said the mine has a history of contamination that has resulted in the loss of fish, unsafe drinking water for communities and livestock, and damage to grazing land.
“This is not the first time that this mine has caused pollution,” Ms. Kearns said. “People’s lives and the environment continue to be put at risk because of the operator’s failure to control pollutants.”
Calls for ZEMA and Disaster Agencies to Intervene
Care for Nature Zambia has appealed to the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) in Mansa, the Mines Bureau, and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to visit the site urgently and assess the extent of the environmental damage.
The organisation says the responsible company must be held fully accountable under the polluter-pays principle, similar to actions taken against Sino Metals in a previous case.
Environmental Vulnerability Increasing
Ms. Kearns said it is “saddening” that many of Zambia’s rivers have become increasingly vulnerable to contamination despite the government's stated commitment to balancing mining activities with environmental protection.
She stressed the need for accountability, including compensation for affected communities and the restocking of lost biodiversity, to ensure long-term ecological recovery.
Commitment to Sustainable Mining
Care for Nature Zambia reaffirmed its position that mining must be conducted responsibly and in a manner that does not harm surrounding communities or ecosystems.
“Care for Nature Zambia remains committed to ensuring that mining is conducted in a way that does not cause harm to communities and biodiversity,” Ms. Kearns said.
By Samuel Mbewe
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