In last week’s Monday Opinion, we examined the environmental degradation resulting from mining activities on Zambia’s Copperbelt, specifically focusing on the February 18th contamination incident due to the failure of Sino Metals’ tailings dam. The disaster underscored critical failures in environmental governance, from weak enforcement of regulations to inadequate rehabilitation commitments by mining companies. It also exposed legislative inconsistencies that allow mining operators to evade accountability, leaving communities to bear the brunt of pollution and degraded ecosystems.

Building on that discussion, this week’s Monday Opinion focuses on charting the way forward. It explores strategies for improving environmental governance, strengthening regulations, and enforcing corporate accountability. Drawing lessons from successful mine restoration efforts globally, it also highlights how community-led initiatives can play a critical role in mitigating the long-term impacts of mining-related pollution. With mining remaining central to Zambia’s economy, the country must navigate this space to ensure that resource extraction does not come at the expense of long-term sustainability.

Addressing the environmental and governance gaps observed last week requires a multi-pronged approach that strengthens regulatory frameworks, enforces corporate responsibility, and fosters community-led restoration initiatives. A key priority is harmonising Zambia’s environmental laws to eliminate loopholes that allow mining companies to sidestep responsibility. Currently, the disparity in penalty provisions between the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the Water Resources Management Act (WRMA) creates an uneven enforcement landscape. Aligning these legal frameworks to impose uniform and stricter penalties for environmental violations would enhance accountability and act as a deterrent to irresponsible practices.

Another critical measure is ensuring that mine closure agreements include mandatory land rehabilitation provisions. Internationally, successful reclamation efforts have transformed abandoned mines into ecologically productive and economically viable sites. In Canada, for example, former mining areas have been repurposed into recreational parks and wildlife habitats, while in Germany, post-mining landscapes have been converted into tourism hubs. Zambia can adopt similar strategies by putting up laws that ensure that mining licenses include clear and enforceable rehabilitation obligations. Mining firms should be able to submit detailed post-mining land use plans before commencing operations. These plans should outline how tailings dams and open pits will be rehabilitated, with financial assurance mechanisms such as green bonds to guarantee compliance.

Beyond government intervention, voluntary industry standards can play a crucial role in mitigating mining-related environmental risks. Following the catastrophic tailings dam collapse in Brazil that killed 270 people, the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) introduced the Global Standard on Tailings Management to prevent similar disasters. This standard, updated at the Cape Town Mining Indaba in February 2025, promotes transparency, accountability, and environmental safety. ICMM members, including major global mining firms such as Anglo American, Glencore, and Barrick, have committed to implementing this standard and are bound by it. However, two-thirds of the industry, including Sino Metals and its parent company, China Nonferrous Metal Mining, are not bound by such voluntary standards. Encouraging Zambian mining companies to adopt voluntary best practices, especially through regulatory integration, could significantly enhance tailings management and pollution control.

Community-led initiatives also have a vital role in environmental restoration. Local organisations and affected communities have, in some cases, undertaken reforestation, water monitoring, and sustainable land use practices to rehabilitate degraded areas. Supporting such grassroots efforts through government funding, corporate social responsibility programmes, and partnerships with environmental NGOs can empower communities to take ownership of restoration efforts. For instance, in Botswana, former mining sites have been successfully rehabilitated through collaborative projects involving government agencies, private companies, and local stakeholders. Zambia can draw lessons from such initiatives to promote inclusive and sustainable environmental recovery. Additionally, community-driven environmental monitoring initiatives should be established, where local residents are trained and equipped to report pollution incidents. This grassroots approach would complement government efforts and ensure quicker responses to environmental threats arising from mining activities.

To conclude, the recent water contamination disaster reminds us that Zambia’s current mining model is environmentally unsustainable. While the government’s effort to increase copper production to 3 million metric tonnes a year is commendable, the strategy must be matched with equal measures in monitoring and equipping oversight institutions with the necessary resources to carry out frequent routine inspections. Additionally, strengthening laws, enforcing corporate responsibility, embracing global best practices, and empowering local communities are key to ensuring that resource extraction aligns with sustainable development. Without such decisive action, the country risks further ecological damage and public health crises.

About the Author

Dr. Matildah Kaliba is a Research Associate at CTPD, Lecturer, and Researcher at the University of Zambia, Department of Development Studies, with a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Zambia and a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies specialising in Geography from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.