"Glencore court ruling in Zambia may trigger new pollution claims", 18 Sept 2016

Toxic fumes from one of Glencore’s copper plants in Zambia caused the death of a politician, the...country’s high court said, in a ruling that could trigger fresh claims against the company. The London-listed mining and commodities trader was ordered to pay 400,000 Zambian kwacha (£30,000) in damages to the widower of Beatrice Mithi, a politician who died after inhaling sulphur dioxide released by Glencore subsidiary Mopani Copper Mines...Lawyers for Glencore contested the claim, citing an environmental indemnity agreement signed with the Zambian government in 2000...The ruling in June means Glencore could face new claims from residents of the Mufulira district, where local people have long complained of health problems allegedly caused by emissions from Mopani’s copper smelter...In a statement, Glencore cited “procedural irregularities” in the ruling, saying the judge did not consider evidence that its defence team submitted...Traidcraft, which is campaigning for greater legal accountability for companies operating overseas, said: “This is yet another case of an irresponsible company, listed in the UK, causing serious harm through its operations in a developing country..."