THE United States government has withdrawn all its personnel from Chambishi and surrounding areas following a toxic chemical spill at Sino Metals Mine, warning of serious health risks from hazardous substances released into the environment.
The embassy has also banned U.S. staff from traveling to Kitwe if they would rely on municipal water for drinking or cooking, citing the high risk of exposure to toxins.
In a health alert issued by the US Embassy in Lusaka, American authorities revealed that the tailings dam breach at the Chinese owned mine has released arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other cancer-causing heavy metals into nearby soil, water sources, and possibly the air.
Due to the contamination, the US has evacuated its personnel from Chambishi town, areas along the Chambishi Stream and Mwambashi River, all the way to the Mwambashi-Kafue confluence.
“The U.S. government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. government personnel from Kitwe and nearby areas affected by the Sino Metals mine tailings dam spill.“
“Newly available information reveals the extent of hazardous and carcinogenic substances, including arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other heavy metals, as well as the immediate and long-term health threats that exposure to these contaminants pose as long as they remain in the environment,” read the statement.
The US advised its citizens in and around Chambishi and downstream areas like Kitwe to avoid using contaminated water or eating food cooked with it and to take protective steps to prevent exposure to toxic substances.
“The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the vicinity of the Sino Metals Leach Mine in Chambishi and downstream areas to Kitwe to take precautions against exposure to, and consumption of, heavy metal contaminated water or foods cooked with it,” said the embassy.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, August 6, 2025
