Muchinga water pollution irks PS

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has bemoaned the high levels of pollution from water bodies in Mpika district which is caused by illegal mining activities. Dr Bwalya has since called for urgent action to curb pollution and protect the environment and public…

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has bemoaned the high levels of pollution from water bodies in Mpika district which is caused by illegal mining activities.

Dr Bwalya has since called for urgent action to curb pollution and protect the environment and public health.

He accused illegal small-scale miners of polluting rivers with impunity and disregarding the fact that thousands of people and wildlife depended on the water sources for their livelihoods and survival.

The Permanent Secretary said this when he toured Kanchibiya river in Mpika district to assess the extent of pollution in the area.

Dr Bwalya said the continued contamination poses a serious threat to communities living along the water sources and to wildlife that relies on them.

He warned that the government will not entertain any gold miner polluting rivers or any other water source in Mpika district and Muchinga Province at large.

Dr Bwalya further revealed that the government will soon put measures to stop any miners from using mercury to process gold.

He said all miners would instead process their gold using PlanetGOLD Zambia machinery, which does not require the use of mercury.

“The machinery for Planetgold Zambia will be installed in the Kanyelele area by October this year,” he said.

Dr Bwalya added that President Hakainde Hichilema wants people to engage in mining, but through safe mining practices.

Meanwhile, a team from the Minerals Regulation Commission, led by Brianson Chewe, the Manager for Inspection and Audits has visited Mpika District to assess the levels of pollution caused by illegal gold miners.

Mr Chewe said the commission will start sensitising miners on safe mining to help stop the pollution of water sources in the district.

He explained that the commission would also visit other districts where gold mining was taking place to conduct sensitisation on safe mining and its benefits.

Mr Chewe said the commission is deeply concerned about knowing the danger that is involved in hazardous chemicals the miners are using.

“Hazardous chemicals like mercury have serious long term effects on human beings,” he said.

And Mpika District Administrative Officer, Steven Mulenga has called on enforcement agencies to move in and immediately stop the pollution of the rivers by illegal gold miners.

Mr Mulenga requested law enforcement officers to immediately close all mining operations that are polluting the river.

He said swift enforcement action was necessary to prevent further damage to water sources in the district.

“We needed concerted efforts to end this pollution and protect the water sources on which communities and wildlife depend,” he said.