[Unofficial translation provided by the Resource Centre]

"NGO v. Asia's Largest Open Pit Copper Mine Environmental Pollution Case to Be Held in Second Trial" 3 November 2023

In October 2021, the Beijing Changping District Multiple Intelligence Environmental Research Institute filed a lawsuit against Jiangxi Copper Company Limited and its Dexing Copper Mine, accusing them of illegally discharging wastewater and polluting the surrounding environment. The plaintiffs allege that the mine, Asia's largest open-pit copper mine, is a major source of soil and water pollution in the Dawu River Basin, causing heavy metal contamination that has rendered 430 acres of farmland in nearby Dai Village unsuitable for growing crops.

In November 2022, the Jingdezhen City Intermediate People's Court rejected the plaintiffs' claims in the first instance. The defendant, Jiangxi Copper, argued that they prioritized environmental protection and had never engaged in activities that polluted the environment or harmed the public interest. They maintained that the mine's emissions did not damage the environment, pose significant ecological risks, or impact Dai Village.

The plaintiffs have now appealed to the Jiangxi High Court, seeking an order for the defendants to cease the infringement, eliminate the hazards, issue an apology, and compensate for losses. The Jiangxi High Court is set to hear the appeal on November 3, 2023.