BIOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (BIA) OF TAILINGS SPILL

Project Summary

Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited operates a copper leaching facility that utilizes sulfuric acid to extract copper from copper ore. The facility is equipped with several key components: a) Ore Processing Plants where ore is subjected to sulfuric acid leaching to extract copper. b) Tailings Dam where waste slurry, including acidic tailings, is stored. c) Acid Storage Tanks that hold sulfuric acid used in the leaching process. d) Wastewater Treatment Facility designed to treat contaminated water from the mining and leaching processes. On 15 February 2025, a breach in the tailings dam resulted in the uncontrolled release of acidic waste material, including heavy metals such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn). The spill affected both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, causing significant ecological damage including: a) Fish mortality in nearby rivers, b) Loss of birdlife, c) Destruction of agricultural crops, d) Potential groundwater contamination, and e) Heavy metal bioaccumulation in local food chains. The Biological Impact Assessment (BIA) and Ecological Impact Assessment (EIA) are being conducted to evaluate the immediate and long-term ecological impacts of the spill, assess human health risks, and develop effective mitigation and restoration strategies.

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