Will Zambian mine disaster spill over to destroy relations with China?

A 50-million-litre acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia is now threatening to kill ties with Beijing, experts say

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An acid waste spill from a collapsed tailings dam at the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine has contaminated a major river, causing a devastating environmental disaster in the African nation. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00pm, 23 Mar 2025Updated: 2:16pm, 23 Mar 2025

A massive acid spill from a Chinese-owned copper mine in Zambia, which has caused severe environmental damage along a major river, could also cause severe diplomatic damage between the two countries, according to observers.

On February 18, a tailings dam containing acid waste from the Sino-Metals Leach Zambia copper mine – which is majority-owned by China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group – collapsed, sending 50 million litres of concentrated acid waste into a stream that connects to the Kafue River.

The river is a vital 1,576km (979-mile) waterway which is relied on by about 12 million people and provides drinking water to around five million – including residents in capital Lusaka. The spill has also been devastating for wildlife, with reports of dead fish found floating up to 100km from the spill site.

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema appealed for help from experts, calling the disaster “a crisis that threatens people and wildlife along the Kafue”.

For decades, Lusaka has maintained strong political and economic ties with Beijing, with frequent high-level visits on either side. But now, observers say the acid spill will test the friendship to the extreme, and could potentially set relations back, though a complete severing of ties is unlikely.

Emmanuel Matambo, a research director at the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Africa-China Studies, said the environmental catastrophe was certain to harm ties.