Zambian villagers take mining giant Vedanta to court in UK over toxic leaks
Summary
Date Reported: 6 Sep 2015
Location: Zambia
Companies
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) - Subsidiary , Vedanta Resources Limited - Parent CompanyProjects
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) Copper Mine(s) in Zambia (Mine Name Unknown) - UnknownAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Ecosystem: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Gender not reported ) , Community: ( Number unknown - Location unknown - Sector unknown , Gender not reported )Issues
Water pollution , Soil pollution , Violation of environmental safety standards , Personal Health , Clean, Healthy & Sustainable EnvironmentResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: Lawsuit
Leaked documents and a confidential internal report commissioned from Canadian pollution control experts show that Vedanta Resources’ giant mine in Zambia’s Copperbelt region has been spilling sulphuric acid and other toxic chemicals into rivers, streams and underground aquifers used for drinking water near the mining town of Chingola…The claims of villagers living near one of the largest copper mines in Africa are backed by a leaked letter from a KCM [a Vedanta subsidiary] doctor stating that water collected for testing from Shimulala village in 2011 was unfit for human consumption…London law firm Leigh Day has issued proceedings in the high court in London on behalf of 1,800 people who claim to have been affected by the company’s pollution…A Vedanta spokesman said: “All Vedanta’s operating subsidiaries take the health of their employees, the wellbeing of surrounding communities and the environment very seriously..."