Scores hospitalised after MCM acid spill

This from the The Post today.

"Scores of people have been rushed to different hospitals in Mufulira district after drinking water suspected to have been contaminated by sulphuric acid from Mopani Copper Mines (MCM)."

Management at Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company are quoted reporting Ph levels in the water at 6.1. Local clinics and hospitals are said to be treating over 100 residents, mostly from Kantashi Mine township, who had drunk contaminated water and were suffering vomiting and diarrhoea. No fatalities have been reported.

The case will present another test for the Environmental Council of Zambia and the Ministry of Mines who are widely held to have flunked their responsibilities to effectively regulate Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) after they were involved in serious pollution of the Kafue River last year. Local residents are now suing KCM, and The Post reports similar actions may follow against MCM.