Zambia’s Kafue River: A Harrowing Tale of Neocolonialism

Yoora Jeong ’27

Ellen Chen ’25

This February, a tailings dam operated by the Chinese-owned mining company Sino-Metals collapsed, releasing 50 million liters of acidic waste into Zambia’s Kafue River. The river, which more than than 60% of Zambia's population depend on for drinking water, farming, and fishing, was soon declared a biohazard. Toxic water and dead wildlife juxtapose the river’s past as a sanctuary and source of community pride. The volume of the spill, equivalent to more than 300,000 barrels of oil raises questions; how could something of this scale happen, and who is being held accountable? 

Neocolonialism defines much of Zambia’s relationship with China. Owing more than 6 billion dollars to the Chinese government, Zambia depends heavily on Chinese subsidies for economic and infrastructural development. In return, Chinese corporations seize control over Zambia’s national resources, particularly copper. This dependency leaves Zambia with limited power to enforce environmental regulations or challenge foreign investors. Sino-Metals, the company behind the collapse, is a repeat environmental offender. In the past, the corporation drew criticism for breaking environmental and safety regulations at other Zambian mining sites. The Kafue River spill continues the pattern of negligence and weak oversight. 

The dam collapse released lead and cadmium into the Kafue River, poisoning wildlife and contaminating the water. This waterway plays a central role in Zambia’s infrastructure, irrigating farmland, powering hydroelectric stations, and supplying drinking water to millions. The spill affects  everyone from individuals to communities to corporations. According to environment minister Collins Nzovu “unknowingly drank contaminated water and ate affected maize,”  and subsequently experienced symptoms such as headaches, coughing, diarrhea, muscle cramps. 

Environmental disasters of this nature are becoming the rule rather than the exception. Only a month following this incident, another mining-related acid spill occurred  in the nearby Lulamba River.  Activists exhort investigations and greater transparency, but as of May 2025, the government has yet to officially announce restitution plans, leaving Kafue in limbo. Rumors of a fine of $10,000 circulate on social media, but authorities have yet to confirm. Environmental justice must take precedence, even under neocolonial pressure. Decisive enforcements such as mine closures will be essential for prevention of future catastrophes and restore public trust.  

References:

Kapekele, A. (n.d.). Zambia: Four foreign mining companies accused of polluting the country’s main watershed, sparking public outrage.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/zambia-four-foreign-mining-companies-accused-of-polluting-the-countrys-main-watershed-sparking-public-outrage/ 

Sino Metals must pay heavily for polluting environment. Daily Revelation News. (n.d.).

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/zambia-four-foreign-mining-companies-accused-of-polluting-the-countrys-main-watershed-sparking-public-outrage/ 

Gbadamosi, N. (2022, September 7). Is China responsible for Zambia’s debt crisis? Foreign Policy.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/09/07/zambia-china-debt-imf-economy/ 

Curators, E. (2025, March 21). Acid spill from Zambian mine poisons Major River, threatening millions.

https://www.ehn.org/acid-spill-from-zambian-mine-poisons-major-river-threatening-millions