KABWE LEAD POISONING: ANGLO AMERICAN NOW FACES SOUTH AFRICAN COURT

By Scoop Correspondent

FOR decades, the town of Kabwe in central Zambia has grappled with one of the world’s most severe cases of lead poisoning, a grim legacy of historic mining operations.

The Anglo American Corporation, a key player in the mining industry, stands accused of neglecting its duty to mitigate the environmental impact caused by its operations in the region.

While Anglo American has acknowledged historical involvement in the area, they contend that the responsibility for addressing the pollution rests with the Zambian Government, emphasizing the complexities of a situation entrenched in historical mining activities.

The alarming levels of lead contamination in the Kabwe town have left a devastating mark on the health and well-being of its economically challenged residents, especially vulnerable children and former miners.

“When my granddaughter was diagnosed with lead poisoning, she was six years old. She is now 13 and since then, my granddaughter has been a slow learner in school. She suffers from severe headaches, chest pains and easily becomes irritable. Our problem is very big and we do not even know the extent of the problem.

“We are demanding justice for the lives of our relatives who are suffering from lead poisoning. There must be monetary compensation or something like that. The problem is so severe and the people do not know what to do about it. There is a need for sensitization on this lead poisoning. Currently, there is no support we are receiving,” said Ms. Agnela Nalishebo Kabinda, who nurses a Grade 8 child.

And Nester Mwanza, the grade eight girl who barely has the confidence to sustain an interview acknowledges that her situation from lead poisoning has affected performance in school, even when she is passionate about education, but sometimes she is forced to abandon classes because of exhaustion.

“I have learnt a few things about lead poisoning because of illness. It is not easy and I do not know what the future is because there is no support and there is not even anyone from anywhere for us to get any solutions,” she said.

In a ground-breaking legal battle, the Anglo American Corporation finds itself in the crosshairs of a South African court over the longstanding lead poisoning crisis in Kabwe, Zambia. This case has brought to light the enduring consequences of mining operations on local communities and raises critical questions about corporate responsibility for environmental damage.

The South African court case stems from a lawsuit filed by affected Zambian communities, alleging that Anglo American, through its subsidiary, left behind a trail of lead pollution that continues to afflict generations. Lead exposure, particularly harmful to children, can result in severe developmental issues, neurological damage, and various health complications.

Jack Musole Kayande is a former employee under the Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM). Mr. Kayande explains the effects of lead poisoning he has been suffering from.

“I used to have challenges with my stomach whereby I could not go to the toilet for durations of up to one week. There was no care and we had to struggle to find commodities such as fresh milk, which is needed to mitigate the effects. Since 1994 when the mine was closed, I don’t know my health status because there are no testing facilities and it is expensive in private hospitals,” he said.

 “The situation here is critical. The effects of lead poisoning on these children are irreversible. We’ve seen a spike in cases of developmental delays, learning difficulties, and a range of health complications directly associated with lead exposure,” said Noah Likezo, a local environmental activist.

This legal showdown is seen as a pivotal moment in the discourse around corporate accountability, especially within the extractive industries. It has reignited the debate on the long-term implications of corporate activities on the environments and communities they operate in, setting a precedent for future cases involving American multinational corporations and environmental degradation in developing countries such as Zambia.

The case also highlights the critical need for stronger international regulations that hold companies like Anglo American accountable for the impact of their operations, not just within their home countries but also in the regions they operate, ensuring that communities affected by industrial activities are not left to bear the burden alone.

By press time, our efforts to engage lawyers representing Anglo American Corporation were not successful.

However, local and international advocacy groups have thrown their weight behind the affected communities, demanding justice and remediation for the irreversible harm caused. The outcome of this legal battle will not only affect the future of Kabwe town but could potentially set a significant precedent for Anglo American corporate accountability in environmental degradation cases in Zambia’s Copperbelt province where the American firm is doing exploration works, including drilling and blasting activities.

“The problem of lead contamination in Kabwe is very crucial and it is because of historical mining by Anglo American Corporation. The contamination is because of negligence by way of not adhering to environmentally sound mining practices,” said Noah Likezo, Executive Director for Green Life Conservation of Zambia.

This courtroom clash is anticipated to prompt a re-examination of Anglo American Corporation’s corporate practices and their obligations towards the environments and societies where they conduct business. The final ruling will not only render justice to the afflicted communities but could potentially redefine the ethical responsibilities of this and other multinational corporations in the pursuit of profit.

As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes remain fixed on the South African court, where the verdict could set a watershed moment in the global conversation surrounding corporate accountability and environmental justice for US multinational firms.

Anglo American Corporation used to manage the Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Nchanga Open Pit Mine and the Chililabombwe mine. They managed the mine until 2001.

In 2001, Anglo American Corporation left Zambia at short notice, leaving KCM workers stranded. This prompted the then head of state Levy Mwanawasa to find Vedanta to take over KCM, for US$25 million, because the Government merely wanted the mine to keep going and provide jobs to its citizens.

However, critics have noted with concern that since Anglo American Corporation has acquired prospecting licenses for several areas in North-western province, the corporation has to return to Zambia, even with the trailblazing poisoning history in Kabwe district.