Activists demand Sino Metals shutdown over toxic spill

-

Environmental watchdog Active Green Plus has called on the government to immediately close down Sino Metals, prosecute its executives, and publicly disclose the full scale of the environmental disaster caused by the company’s concealed toxic waste spillage in Kitwe’s Chambeshi area.

The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), which advocates for environmental justice, sustainable development, and inclusive governance, says revelations that Sino Metals grossly understated the extent of toxic waste contamination amount to a national crisis that goes beyond environmental negligence.

Active Green Plus Board Chairperson Hopkins Mwansa said the government must act decisively following shocking disclosures that the contamination involved more than 1.5 million tonnes of cyanide and uranium far higher than the 50,000 tonnes initially reported by the company.

“This is not just corporate irresponsibility. It is a grave assault on public health, environmental safety, and the trust that Zambians place in both industry and government,” Mr. Mwansa said.

Mr. Mwansa has described the revelations as proof of deliberate deception, warning that affected communities now face life-threatening risks, including cancer, birth defects, and other severe long-term health conditions.

“This is more than an environmental scandal; it is a human rights crisis,” he said. “Such deliberate deception exposes entire communities to poisoning, while undermining public confidence in industry players and regulatory institutions meant to protect the people.”

He has stated that failing to take swift and strong action would send the wrong signal to investors and citizens alike, indicating that violations of environmental law can occur without consequence.

“Anything less than immediate closure, arrest, and prosecution of those involved would amount to betrayal of the people’s right to safety, health, and a clean environment not just today, but for generations to come,” Mr. Mwansa stated.

Ends………………………….

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beltz pledges impactful leadership as ZedPro Global Patron

-
Image
Global Patron  for ZedPro Sports Foundation , an organisation dedicated to youth development through sports, financial literacy, and personal growth   Nkandu Beltz   has  expressed deep appreciation for the appointment and pledged to make a lasting contribution. “I’m completely stoked to be appointed ambassador for such an important cause,” said Beltz. “I have pledged to do my best to create a meaningful impact and build on the shoulders of giants,” she said. Ms. Beltz said  the Foundation’s focus on empowering young people through sport, which she described as a powerful tool for personal transformation. “We work mainly with young people through sport, which encourages self-discipline   and a self-disciplined person can achieve anything in life,” she said. “But it’s not just about the physical side. We are also teaching financial literacy and engaging in personal development initiatives for these young people.” She added that one of her top priorities as g...
Read more

CSPR and UNICEF launch Toolkit to amplify adolescent voices

-
Image
The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has launched the School and Junior Councils Advocates Toolkit , a practical guide designed to equip adolescents with the skills they need to organize and effectively manage student and junior councils across Zambia. The toolkit is much more than just a manua l  it offers young people a platform to raise their voices, participate meaningfully in school governance, and play an active role in community development. Set to be rolled out nationwide, this initiative supports Zambia’s broader efforts to boost youth participation in governance and local development. Developed through extensive research in Lusaka, Katete, and Kafue districts, the toolkit benefited from the insights of teachers, District Education Boards (DEBs), student and junior councils, CSPR staff, and UNICEF. Lead consultant Dr. Aaron Chansa has described the launch as a landmark moment in promoting youth leade...
Read more

Syngenta champions sustainable Farming through Pesticide container Recycling

-
Image
Syngenta East and Southern Africa Managing Director, Given Mudenda, has reaffirmed the company's commitment to environmental stewardship through a groundbreaking pesticide container recycling initiative. Mr. Mudenda who also serves as Chairperson of CropLife Zambia and sits on various regional boards of CropLife Africa   said Syngenta began the project years before Zambia introduced legislation on pesticide container management. “We didn’t wait for the law. We started this out of a sense of responsibility and sustainability,” he said. “T he initiative began with collecting empty pesticide containers from seed companies and has since grown into a national program. In partnership with CropLife and other major agrochemical firms like Bayer and BASF, Syngenta has helped establish drop-off centers where farmers can return used containers ,” Mr. Mudenda said.   He said t hese are cleaned and recycled into useful products including plastic pools for tomato growers, reducing the need ...
Read more