US House Committee: Zambia Helped Chinese Mining Firm Cover Up Pollution Disaster
A US House committee's investigation found that the Zambian government assisted a Chinese state-owned mining company, Sino-Metals Leach (a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining), in covering up one of Zambia's worst mining pollution incidents.
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- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 15:55
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 2nd) The Wall Street Journal reported on May 1st that an investigation by the U.S. House Select Committee on China found that the Zambian government, which owes billions of dollars to China, assisted a Chinese-funded mining company in covering up mineral pollution, one of Zambia's most severe mining pollution incidents.
The pollution incident occurred in February 2025, when a tailings dam at a copper mine operated by Sino-Metals Leach, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned enterprise China Nonferrous Metal Mining, collapsed. Highly toxic waste poured into the Kafue River, scorching farmlands along the banks, leaving hundreds of farmers without clean drinking water and forcing them to continue living on land contaminated with heavy metals.
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the report by the U.S. House Select Committee on China. The committee stated in its report that the Zambian government, which owes China and Chinese lenders US$6.6 billion (approximately NT$208.7 billion), has not pressured Sino-Metals Leach over this disaster for fear of retaliation from China.
Earlier this year, the committee sent representatives to meet with Zambian government officials, company executives, and civil society leaders. The committee found that after the disaster, Zambian government officials visited China multiple times, not to demand accountability, but to request further investment.
A committee spokesperson stated that Zambia's relationship with China is challenging, and China has strong political and economic influence in the country. The spokesperson pointed out that Sino-Metals Leach is a state-owned enterprise, criticizing the company is criticizing the Chinese government.
The committee stated that the Zambian government colluded with Sino-Metals Leach, disregarded warnings from regulatory bodies regarding the tailings dam, suppressed independent investigations, and prevented civil society organizations from contacting victims.
The report states that starting in 2012, the Zambian government heavily borrowed from China to build roads, power plants, airports, and mining-related facilities. These projects were expected to promote economic growth, but many have stalled, or require time to become profitable amidst low global metal prices.
The report adds that while hundreds of residents are seeking compensation from Sino-Metals Leach through legal channels, Zambia allowed the company to resume operations in February this year. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150502
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(Central News Agency, Taipei, 2nd) The Wall Street Journal reported on May 1st that an investigation by the U.S. House Select Committee on China found that the Zambian government, which owes billions of dollars to China, assisted a Chinese-funded mining company in covering up mineral pollution, one of Zambia's most severe mining pollution incidents.
The pollution incident occurred in February 2025, when a tailings dam at a copper mine operated by Sino-Metals Leach, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned enterprise China Nonferrous Metal Mining, collapsed. Highly toxic waste poured into the Kafue River, scorching farmlands along the banks, leaving hundreds of farmers without clean drinking water and forcing them to continue living on land contaminated with heavy metals.
The Wall Street Journal reviewed the report by the U.S. House Select Committee on China. The committee stated in its report that the Zambian government, which owes China and Chinese lenders US$6.6 billion (approximately NT$208.7 billion), has not pressured Sino-Metals Leach over this disaster for fear of retaliation from China.
Earlier this year, the committee sent representatives to meet with Zambian government officials, company executives, and civil society leaders. The committee found that after the disaster, Zambian government officials visited China multiple times, not to demand accountability, but to request further investment.
A committee spokesperson stated that Zambia's relationship with China is challenging, and China has strong political and economic influence in the country. The spokesperson pointed out that Sino-Metals Leach is a state-owned enterprise, criticizing the company is criticizing the Chinese government.
The committee stated that the Zambian government colluded with Sino-Metals Leach, disregarded warnings from regulatory bodies regarding the tailings dam, suppressed independent investigations, and prevented civil society organizations from contacting victims.
The report states that starting in 2012, the Zambian government heavily borrowed from China to build roads, power plants, airports, and mining-related facilities. These projects were expected to promote economic growth, but many have stalled, or require time to become profitable amidst low global metal prices.
The report adds that while hundreds of residents are seeking compensation from Sino-Metals Leach through legal channels, Zambia allowed the company to resume operations in February this year. (Editors: Chen Kai-yu / Chou Hui-ying) 1150502
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.