The Management of Environmental Risks arising from mining operations in Kitwe and Mufulira

Abstract

Mining as an extractive industry has both positive and negative impacts. The positive impacts are economic growth and job creation whereas the negative impacts pose risks to the general environment and human health.  On this premise this study was carried out in order: To i) identify risks posed by mining operations to the environment and human health in Kankoyo and Nkana West, and ii) determine the extent to which the risk management strategies used by mining operators adequately address environmental and health risks in the study areas. The findings showed that the risks from mining in Nkana West residential area were minimal reduced whereas Kankoyo Township was still being impacted by serious pollution from Mopani Copper Mines operations. A questionnaire survey and a number of published articles revealed that Kankoyo and Nkana West are characterised by pollution of air, water and land with Kankoyo being the most affected by air and land pollution. The prominent health problem was respiratory tract infections resulting from smelting activities. Tests carried out on water samples collected from Uchi and Mwekera Streams in Kitwe indicated that Uchi had above limit concentrations of cobalt, manganese and iron which were attributed to effluent discharged from the Nkana mines. With regard to institutional arrangements, it was revealed that they were not adequate and this was evidenced by the relevant authorities’ lack of vital monitoring equipment and human resource for ensuring that mining companies were in compliance with the environmental regulations.