Post #441

🇿🇲Zambian Authorities Forgive the Chinese🇿🇲 💧 Nearly a year after the major tailings dam spill, which released thousands of litres of acidic materials into Zambia's soil and rivers, including the major Kafue river, the authorities officially publish an environmental damage report — one that recognizes only 160 people as direct victims. 💧 Released on January 5, the report on the February tailings dam collapse near Kitwe, not far from the Zambia–DRC border, identified only 5.35 km² of affected soil and some traces of contamination in local rivers, declaring acidic levels in the key Kafue river to be “within acceptable bounds.” Only 158 people living were recognized as unquestionable victims of the spill. ▶️ Between June and September, the Zambian government and the Chinese company Sino-Metals, responsible for the spill, replaced the firm conducting the study. Instead of a South African company that had been working on site in the wake of the spill, a new laboratory was hired. 🔴 The South African firm then overtly said it had been fired because it had exposed the real severity of consequences of Sino-Metals’ negligence, which it estimated at 1.5 million tonnes of toxic material released. Hiring a new laboratory more than 6 months after the accident — when all possible contaminants had already floated downstream — effectively shuts the door on any future chance for local communities to obtain compensation from either the authorities or the Chinese company. ➡️ Follow to stay informed - @devilsbelow