Zambian Acid Spill Threatens Diplomatic Relations with China
The 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia threatens to harm the Kafue River, impacting millions and raising concerns about deteriorating Zambia-China relations. President Hakainde Hichilema has declared a crisis and called for expert assistance to address the situation.
An acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia, amounting to 50 million liters, poses a significant threat to diplomatic relations between Zambia and China. This disaster affects the Kafue River, critical for approximately 12 million residents, as it supplies drinking water to 5 million people, including those in the capital city of Lusaka. The accident has resulted in severe damage to local wildlife, with instances of dead fish reported up to 100 kilometers away from the spill site.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has characterized the incident as a crisis, expressing concern for both human and wildlife populations in the region. He has reached out for assistance from environmental experts to address the growing emergency along the Kafue. The situation has raised alarms among analysts regarding its potential impact on Zambia’s long-standing relations with China, as highlighted by Emmanuel Matambo, research director at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies.
The recent acid spill at the Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia poses a serious environmental and humanitarian crisis, threatening the Kafue River and the health of millions. As Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema seeks expert help to mitigate the disaster’s impacts, the potential deterioration of Zambia-China relations looms, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of corporate environmental negligence.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
