Author: RICHARD KILLE Associated Press, JACOB ZIMBA Associated Press, ABC News
Published on: 15/03/2025 | 04:36:10
AI Summary:
A tailings dam that holds acidic waste from a copper mine collapsed, investigators say. The collapse allowed some 50 million liters of waste to flow into a stream. China is the dominant player in copper mining in Zambia. About 60% of Zambia’s 20 million people live in the Kafue River basin. The acid leak caused a complete shutdown of the water supply to Kitwe, home to an estimated 700,000 people. Chinese-owned copper mines have been accused of ignoring safety, labor and other regulations in Zambia as they strive to control its supply of the critical mineral. Zambia is also burdened with more than $4 billion in debt to China and had to restructure some loans from China and other nations after defaulting on repayments in 2020.
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