Environmental Crisis Deepens

As AIPAC Questions Government’s Handling of Sino Metals Spill

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24 – (March 1, 2026)  -- The Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC) is questioning the Government’s handling of the pollution incident involving Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited following a recent report by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), which confirmed environmental contamination linked to the company.

AIPAC Executive Director Solomon Ngoma told Zambia24 that the ZEMA report confirms earlier warnings about environmental damage allegedly caused by Sino Metals. 

However, he said the report does not fully reflect the true scale of the crisis.

Ngoma stated that between February and April 2025, internationally recognised experts submitted detailed assessments to senior Government officials. 

He said the experts clearly outlined the extent of the pollution and its serious impact on public health and the environment.

According to Ngoma, instead of acting on those warnings, the Government dismissed the concerns and later hired a consultant who had no strong prior expertise in such matters. 

He said this assessment was conducted nearly ten months after the pollutants had already settled in riverbeds and spread downstream.

Ngoma said that even with the delayed study, the consultant still confirmed that there was a real threat to public health.

 However, he argued that the conclusions in the report minimize the scale and long-term danger of the pollution.

Ngoma further alleged that one year after the spill, Sino Metals has actively suppressed legitimate findings of harm.

 He claimed that despite this, the Government continues to allow the company to manage its own cleanup process.

“This is a fundamental error,” Ngoma said. 

He explained that global best practice requires highly specialised expertise and independent oversight when dealing with serious environmental contamination.

Ngoma said the current cleanup efforts by Sino Metals mainly involve scooping up visible waste without proper sequestration or safeguards. 

He warned that this approach does not stop continued contamination of groundwater, airborne particles, or exposure of nearby communities.

Ngoma also raised concerns about the structural integrity of the dam linked to the spill. 

He warned that if the dam were to collapse, it could release toxic pollutants into surrounding communities.

He said such a collapse would expose thousands of people through drinking water, agriculture, and direct contact with contaminated areas. 

Ngoma added that communities risk long-term respiratory illnesses, cancers, and permanent damage to their livelihoods if urgent action is not taken.

Ngoma described the situation as one of the most serious cover-ups in recent memory. 

He said the Zambian people would ultimately pay the price with their health and lives if accountability is not enforced.

He also questioned why Sino Metals is allowed to expand into new ventures despite the findings. 

Ngoma pointed out that unlike some Western firms, the company is not required to provide an ownership stake to ZCCM Investments Holdings.

Ngoma said AIPAC is calling for immediate and severe penalties against Sino Metals. 

He stated that the company must be held financially responsible for the full cost of the cleanup.

He further said Sino Metals should not be allowed to manage the remediation process itself. 

Ngoma called for independent, internationally recognised environmental experts to oversee the cleanup.

Ngoma added that the company should face restrictions on further mining ventures until it proves full compliance with global environmental standards. 

He also urged Zambia to strengthen its regulatory framework to prevent polluters from controlling their own accountability.

Ngoma appealed to the international community to recognise the seriousness of the situation. 

He said Zambia deserves transparency, accountability, and a cleanup led by qualified experts, not the polluter itself.