LUSAKA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Thursday commended Chinese mining firm Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited for its cooperation following a spillage of acid and heavy metals into local rivers.
The pollution occurred after vandals damaged the tailings dam infrastructure earlier this year.
Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the company has been working closely with authorities since the February incident and is complying with national laws and international principles, including the "polluter pays" principle.
"The necessary compensations for affected individuals are on schedule, and the company is covering the costs of asset replacement and environmental cleanup," Mweetwa said during a press briefing.
He noted that the government promptly took measures to contain the situation and assured the public of the safety of communities in the affected areas.
Mweetwa, who also serves as minister of information and media, said laboratory tests indicate that pH levels in the water have returned to normal, and concentrations of heavy metals are steadily decreasing, which means immediate threats to human, animal, and plant life have been mitigated.
The U.S. Embassy in Zambia issued a health alert on Wednesday, directing U.S. citizens to immediately leave Chambishi town and other areas in the Copperbelt province affected by spillage from dams owned by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited.
"There is no need to press the panic button or alarm the international community," Mweetwa said, stressing that the government had neutralized the acidic content immediately after the incident.
Peter Sinkamba, leader of the opposition Green Party, also described the U.S. action as mere political posturing, according to local media Radio Phoenix.
Sinkamba condemned the United States for double standards, citing the historical lead pollution in Kabwe, caused by the mining company Anglo American, which has left thousands of children exposed and affected.
He noted that the United States has neither withdrawn its personnel from that area nor issued scathing announcements, Radio Phoenix reported. ■