The Environmental Management Agency in Africa’s red metal hostspot in a press release reported an incident of sulphur dioxide emission on 14 November from Vedanta’s acid plant at its Nchanga operation. This resulted in the hospitalization of residents within the vicinity of the plant.
As a consequence, the Acid Plant has been shutdown to facilitate investigations into the circumstances regarding this discharge and ZEMA has since dispatched Inspectors to Chingola to carry out detailed investigations into this incident.Further regulatory action will be undertaken in line with provisions of the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of 2011 (“EMA), according to the press release.
Konkola Copper Mines is currently in court with the Zambian government after commencement of a liquidation process citing miming license breaches on pollution, tax evasion to mention but a few. If proved, the regulator will fine the mine for the emission and this could also strengthen the basis of liquidation allegations the state has leveled against Vedanta’s subsidiary.
The Kwacha Arbitrageur
