controversy over proposed copper mine in Lower Zambezi Park

In June 2021, twenty years after granting an operating license and twenty enamelled years of procedures, the Zambian government gave the green light to the proposed open-pit copper mine, the Kangaluwi project. A site in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

But this project, denounces the opponents, is surrounded by ambiguities. The impact study sometimes declares a single pit and other times three satellite pits and a main one. The mine life also varies considerably from 4 to 25 years.

For the WWF, the park is a paradise on earth, “a rare pearl almost left in its raw state”. The Lower Zambezi National Park is Zambia’s newest nature reserve. It was founded in 1983 and covers over 4,000 km² along the north bank of the Zambezi River which marks the border with Zimbabwe.

Previously, it was a park for the exclusive use of the President of Zambia, which explains why it was protected from mass tourism. There is an exceptional concentration of wild animals. This time, it was the Southern Africa division of the NGO Oxfam which warned the Zambian government against continuing the project.

“The Lower Zambezi National Park is home to a sensitive ecosystem that supports a large amount of biodiversity necessary for environmental sustainability in Zambia and some neighboring countries. This area also provides a critical water resource to over 250 million people in the region. that depend on the Zambezi River and surrounding ecosystem for water, fishing, wildlife, agriculture, tourism, forestry and other livelihood activities. Disruption of this ecosystem could prove disastrous, especially at a time when the world is grappling with a climate change crisis.”explains Yvonne Chibiya, national representative of Oxfam.

On the side of the defenders of the project, the impact on the environment that the mine could have is minimized. Zambia’s former vice-president, Enock Kavindele, calls for “don’t over dramatize” mining, which will enable the government to create 1,500 direct jobs. “Mining there will cause no harm to the Zambezi River. The Kangaluwi open pit copper mine in the Zambezi National Park is about 40 kilometers from where the animals are and is located on a platter”did he declare.

Further support came from traditional chief Mphuka, of the Chikunda people, affected by the mine. He highlighted the consequent economic advantages of the exploitation which will accelerate the development of the region of Luangwa which is lagging far behind. As for opponents, according to Chief Mphuka, “they must accept the court decisions or be sued for contempt”.

Copper mining is at the heart of the economy of Zambia, which is the second largest producer in Africa with nearly 900,000 tons. 80% of the country’s exports come from the mining sector in general. In other words, the copper sector is essential, especially as demand continues to grow. Copper is indeed an essential component of the electrical chain.