The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has asked government to dialogue with Mopani Copper Mines and consider relocating residents of Butondo and Kakonyo in Mufulira district.
CCZ National Chairman for Natural Resources, Sauros Phaika says people in two areas are faced with unknown health hazards from the waste disposed by the mines.
Reverend Phaika, says government should also consider meeting the investor and compel them to clear the waste rock litter from the processing plant in the two areas and other surrounding places.
Reverend Phaika said the litter from the mine plant has exposed the residents to toxic chemicals and has started causing serious health problems fro them.
Reverend Phaika said this in a communiqué read out at the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) seminar for Journalists on Natural Resources management in Lusaka today.
He said government should also bargain with the investor to start preparing an alternative residential location with necessary infrastructure where to relocate the residents.
He said the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) should commission an independent investigation through the technical expertise to determine the levels of sulphuric acid on the chemicals and check whether they are within the recommended levels by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Reverend Phaika said there was need for investors to ensure that local communities participate in issues affecting them.
ZANIS
Who is this investor? Clearly, this a major public health issue, which should be immediately addressed. The last thing we need is to learn of cancer and other disorders in that area. Only if we had a logical and competent government, that enforced regulations, all these things would not take place.
MMD what have you done to the beloved country Zambia…..What kind of party are you?