South African company accused of fuelling toxic lead crisis in Zambia

['Umamah Bakharia', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] National – The Mail & Guardian 2025-09-08 00:00:00

Toxic mine waste in Zambia’s Kabwe region. A South African-owned company is under fire for toxic mine waste from an unrehabilitated mine in Zambia’s Kabwe region that has caused lead poisoning, with children being the most affected. But researchers estimate that more than 95% of children in the area have elevated blood lead levels, with half requiring urgent medical intervention. The HRW says the concession risks dispersing lead dust more widely, exacerbating already dire health conditions. Last month, officials suspended four Chinese processing plants in Kabwe for breaching environmental standards — but Enviro Processing Limited, Chitofu and Union Star continue to operate.