Some Residents of Kankoyo in Mufulira District have complained of persisted Sulphur Dioxide emissions commonly known as center from Mopani Copper Mine. Those talked to have expressed worry as to why they were being subjected to such a living despite assurances that they would be relocated to much safer places.
They have appealed to government to quickly find modalities of relocating them especially that even their houses had also developed cracks due to mining activities in the area.
Catherine Kabwe, who spoke on behalf of other residents, said the community had made numerous appeals but those in leadership were not taking their complaints serious.
“We have suffered for a long time here, even these house we live in, just look at them! These are death traps. We have been promised over the years that we would be relocated to safer places but we are still waiting, nothing has come up. Our leaders know whenever they come for meetings, we always engage them. You can’t say someone doesn’t know this problem, it is just a matter of not caring,” said Kabwe.
And Kankoyo Clinic Five environmental health technologist Jonas Ngoma has disclosed that the community of about 19,656 is all affected from both the sulphur dioxide emissions and cracked houses.
He added that the clinic records the highest number of people suffering from respiratory infections, Malaria, and Diarrhoea.
Meanwhile, Mufulira Municipal Council Assistant Public Relations manager Thandiwe Tembo said the government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, in collaboration with the World Bank, is in the process of accessing land where the affected families could be relocated.
This is what happens when u have an incompetent government. This is why I am raising my mixed race kids in Europe rather than contaminated Zambia. My Swiss wife likes Zambia but my kids safety comes first
This has been a colonial problem in Mufulira. I did a research and found out that most of the residence have teeth problems too.
The Government can move them to Ndeke compound along Mufulira/Ndola road. Plenty of land there!
Someone told me a lie that this problem has long been buried!
Centre don’t get surprised if your ntwenu stops getting hard. Lobe
solely mining countries only grew economies in the 1920s. we need to start mining people’s minds in order for them to be resourceful in their environment. not minds that believe west is best but independent minds that aren’t attached to their current modes of survival in order to grow, at this rate we are killing ourselves.
Mixed race kids ( mongrels), you must be proud of them..
Surely if you have a problem with me why take it out on my kids? You seem pathetic spewing your hate to innocent kids. I can bet you don’t have kids because any father wouldn’t be this careless in their deposition. If they are dogs then u are the dog s.h.i.t
MOPANI ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE RESOLVED THE ISSUE BY NOW THROUGH AN UPGRADE OF THEIR MUFULIRA SMELTER.
ZEMA AND MSD CAN QUICKLY ENGAGE MOPANI ON THIS TO EFFECT EMERGENCY SMELTER SHUT DOWN MEASURES WHILE LOOKING FOR A LASTING SOLUTION.
MINES HAVE A DUTY OF CARE. GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR EVERYTHING
There is plenty of information on the effects of that carbon dioxide spewed from the mines. It is an environmental disaster. It causes respiratory illness and results in acid rain. The mining companies must be taxed and the money used to treat the patients.
We have Zambians highly educated about these issues and the legal assistance must be given to the residents to seek compensation from the mines.
Just keep records of all your visits to clinic,prescriptions given, medicines taken…contact international lawyers and sue them..the govt wont help you. sue them before that mine is no more let to be organised!!
The sulphur dioxide emissions at Mopani’s Mufulira smelter have actually been reduced significantly from the time of ZCCM.
The acid plant produces sulphuric acid from these emissions thereby reducing the quantity of sulphur dioxide released into the environment. Having said this, much more can be done by Mopani’s to reduce emissions further and improve the health of Kankoyo residents.