2025: Zambia Civil Society Action Matrix on the Copperbelt Water Pollution by Sino Metals Leach Limited and Rongxing Investment Limited
Project Summary
The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), is implementing an urgent humanitarian and environmental response under the project titled “Zambia Civil Society Action Matrix on the Copperbelt Water Pollution by Sino Metals Leach Limited and Rongxing Investment Limited.” Communities in Lufwanyama District, particularly Mukumbo, Kapata, Kankonde, Kamwesha, and Chifumpa, are currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis caused by widespread environmental degradation linked to mining operations. Toxic waste discharge has contaminated vital water sources and destroyed arable land, leaving many families without access to clean water, safe food, or reliable sources of income. This project is generously being funded by Earth Works.
This project seeks to provide emergency food assistance and immediate relief to the most affected households, especially women-headed households, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, while laying the foundation for longer-term recovery and resilience. Beyond humanitarian aid, CEJ and Earthworks are working to strengthen community capacity, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement to address the root causes of pollution and environmental injustice on the Copperbelt. Through coordinated action, this initiative aims not only to stabilize livelihoods but also to promote accountability, ensure safer environmental practices, and uphold the rights and dignity of affected communities.
Project Objectives
- Provide Immediate Humanitarian Relief:
Deliver emergency food assistance and basic support to households most affected by pollution-induced environmental degradation in Lufwanyama District. - Strengthen Community Resilience and Capacity:
Build local knowledge and capacity on environmental rights, disaster preparedness, and sustainable coping strategies to reduce vulnerability to similar crises. - Facilitate Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:
Engage government agencies, mining companies, traditional leaders, and civil society to enhance accountability, transparency, and coordinated responses to environmental harm. - Advance Environmental Justice and Policy Advocacy:
Support affected communities in documenting and reporting environmental violations while advocating for systemic reforms, cleaner mining practices, and fair compensation frameworks. - Promote Long-Term Sustainable Solutions:
Complement immediate relief with ongoing efforts toward environmental restoration, safe water access, and sustainable livelihood development in mining-affected areas.
Families in Lufwanyama, Copperbelt Province receive relief food.