The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has shut down operations at Dashun Industry Company Limited, a Zinc-Oxide Smelting Plant in Kabwe, for persistently not complying with environmental regulations.
A Plant Supervisor, identified as Cao Honjian, has since been arrested in connection with the same.
The company is alleged to have been unlawfully discharging Zinc Oxide into the open environment.
According to a statement issued to ZANIS by ZEMA Corporate Affairs Manager, Ruth Kamwi, the unlawful discharge of Zinc Oxide into the open environment prompted the agency to issue a Compliance Order on 27th October 2023, directing the company to suspend operations and comply with Decision Letter requirements.
The company, however failed to comply, resulting in ZEMA serving a Notice of Intention to cancel the Decision Letter on 15th May 2025, giving the firm 30 days to implement corrective measures.
Despite this, the firm still remained non-compliant, leading to the cancelation of the Decision Letter by ZEMA, on 1st October 2025.
ZEMA also directed the company to cease operations and surrender all operational licenses by 23rd October 2025.
However, a follow-up inspection on 1st November 2025, revealed that the company had defied the directive and continued operations, thereby instigating the arrest of the Plant Supervisor, Cao Honjian.
Ms Kamwi has stressed that environmental compliance is mandatory and non-negotiable, further warning that the ZEMA will not hesitate to take stern regulatory action, including prosecution, against violators.
Shame next time he will pay up for sure
A good move by the enviromental Council pity is they are very selective
Why not the Council and their rubbish dumping ??? I hear thats shocking !!