Lubumbashi, November 10th, 2025 (CPA). – The waters from the settling ponds of the Chinese mining company Congo Dongfang Mining (CDM), which flows into the natural environment, has affected inhabited areas in the municipalities of Lubumbashi and Annexe, affecting nearly 15,000 residents in this city, the chief town of Haut-Katanga (south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo).
‘This polluted waters contain chemical and metallic contaminants from copper and cobalt processing, as well as sulphuric acids and other chemicals used for mineral leaching,’ have announced experts in industrial and environmental processes and community health from the University of Lubumbashi, approached by CPA. The affected areas are located in the Kasapa neighbourhoods in the municipality of Lubumbashi, as well as Kamisipe and Kamatete in the Annexe municipality.
‘“For their spread and contamination routes, these polluted waters have travelled through local waterways, including the surrounding water authority, and reached the small streams, runoff and rivulets used by the population for domestic and agricultural purposes, resulting in direct or indirect contamination of the water consumed by the population,’” the scientists have indicated. Large numbers of fish have been found dead in the Lubumbashi River due to the toxicity of these acidic waters, which have also contaminated wells and marshes used to irrigate fields, threatening local crops.
As contaminated water is used for washing clothes and watering fields, the pollution has led to contamination of agricultural land and affected the cultivation of seasonal vegetables (maize, cabbage, and other vegetables) in the region. This situation is not only harmful to aquatic biodiversity, but also to local populations who depend on the river for food and livelihoods.
The experts at the University of Lubumbashi have warned of the long-term consequences of this pollution on the Lubumbashi River ecosystem. They have called on local authorities to implement emergency measures to control and prevent acid water pollution in the Lubumbash
Fear of immediate health consequences
In terms of health, experts believe that this pollution is likely to cause skin and eye irritation, gastrointestinal disorders accompanied by diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain, as well as chemical burns in the event of direct contact with the contaminated waters.
Long-term health consequences include the accumulation of heavy metals in the body (lead, cadmium, copper) and an increased risk of kidney, neurological and liver disease, as well as developmental disorders in children, which can lead to congenital malformations. ‘In terms of environmental impact, the groundwater will suffer lasting pollution and agriculture is likely to be unproductive and of poor quality due to soil and water contamination. There is also concern about possible pollution of small local rivers, affecting the entire ecosystem and water resources,’ it is noted. The environmental experts have sounded the alarm: such a spill risks permanently contaminating the soil, groundwater and waterways, compromising aquatic biodiversity and public health. CPA/