ECZ shows its teeth - suspends MCM leach plant

Following last week's acid spill, Reuters report that the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) have ordered Mopani Copper Mines (MCM) to suspend operations at its leach plant after failing to meet environmental standards.

ECZ Director Edward Zulu, is quoted as having told state television: "We did write to Mopani yesterday telling them to suspend the leach (plant) project until they implement what is in the environmental impact assessment report." The ban comes only days after the government summoned Mopani officials to explain what authorities described as acid contamination in drinking water pumped to residents in a mining area.

The UN's IRIN Newsletter has also picked up on the story. They quote Zulu arguing, "We are deeply concerned at the manner in which our mining companies are violating environmental laws. Our laws are sufficient but implementation is the biggest problem... Every time an accident happens it is a question of people being negligent, or the machines being manned by unqualified people. We will now be forcing all mining companies to follow the law to the letter, and the penalties might include closures of some erring mines as a deterrent to other would-be offenders."

Contrary to one of my recent posts that suggested the ECZ and KCM came to an 'amicable settlement' over the Kafue River pollution incident, IRIN reports, "KCM had its operating licence suspended for 10 days after the water pollution episode in 2007, and was instructed to install new environmental safety measures. The company reportedly lost $26 million during the suspension period."

Frederick Bantubonse, director of the mining houses representative boby the Chamber of Mines told IRIN, "Inasmuch as we don't condone the pollution of the waters, closing a mine, even for a single day, would not be any good for the country's development. We should just work at ensuring such accidents are minimised, because they are accidents, and no one plans or wishes for an accident to occur." He acknowledged that "The issue of polluting the water is very critical and we need to play a role in fighting it. We are finding it extremely difficult to tackle such problems because of lack of funds."