SA firm implicated in Zambia toxic lead crisis

A South African-owned company is under fire over toxic mine waste from an unrehabilitated mine in Zambia’s Kabwe region that has caused lead poisoning, with children being the most affected.

- Umamah Bakharia

Enviro Processing Limited, a subsidiary of Johannesburg-based Jubilee Metals Group, holds a small-scale licence for waste from the former Kabwe mine area, which is known as the “Black Mountain”.

On its website, Jubilee Metals says by processing mining residues and waste material, it rehabilitates the environment and clears pollution. “We are also doing so in a manner that improves the quality of life of those living in proximity of these installations”.

But researchers estimate more than 95% of children in the area have elevated blood lead levels, with half requiring urgent medical intervention.

Kabwe ranks among the world’s most lead-contaminated cities, because of the lead and zinc mine established during British rule, and closed in 1994, but never cleaned up.