Supporting communities to tackle the environmental impacts of mining in Zambia

IIED has been working with local communities in Zambia to strengthen the governance of land-based investments, under the ALIGN project. We have collaborated with local partners to support members of a mineral-rich community in Zambia to access the resources and knowledge needed to tackle the contamination caused by mining activities. As a result of the community’s action, the Water Resource Management Authority has temporarily halted a mining company’s local operations, until measures to address stream pollution are introduced.

October 2024
7 minute read
A digger in a mining quarry digs earth and transfers it to a lorry just behind it.

Part of the manganese mining site, situated next to a stream used as a water source by local people in Mkushi District, Zambia (Photo: Zambia Land Alliance)

Land-based investments in low- and middle-income countries such as Zambia can be a key factor to advancing economic development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, these investments come with a number of risks such as land dispossession, environmental degradation and conflict – all of which have harmful effects on local communities.

Under the ALIGN project, IIED and the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) have been working with two partners in Zambia – the Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) and the Zambia Land Alliance (ZLA) – to support local communities in strengthening the governance of land-based investments such as mining.

Zambia is one of the world’s leading producers of manganese ore: this is a booming sector for the country’s economy. Serenje and Mkushi Districts in the Central Province are particularly rich in this mineral. 

However, as Zambia’s Centre for Environment Justice (PDF) notes: “Over the years, the manganese mining industry [in the region]… has faced numerous challenges. Environmental concerns related to pollution, deforestation and the improper disposal of mining waste have prompted calls for stricter regulations and sustainable mining practices.”

Successful community engagement

It is in this context that the ALIGN project has been running community-based awareness-raising work, including public forum dialogues, centred around large-scale land-based investments and their impact on the environment. This has given local communities an opportunity to hear key information about land laws, their land rights and other related topics, and has ultimately led to successful community action on this issue.

As part of this work, ALIGN partners ZLA and CTPD developed a community engagement initiative in Mkushi District, after residents shared their fears over the levels of pollution arising from manganese mining activities. The aim was to give communities a way to voice their concerns directly to the mining companies and government representatives.

Across three days in September 2023, the ZLA and CTPD facilitated a public forum attended by representatives of Zambia’s Department of Water Resource Development (DWRD) for Mkushi and the mining companies active in the area. At the dialogue, members of the Nkolonga ward, Mkushi District, spoke about the environmental impact of manganese mining – with a particular focus on contamination in local streams used as a water source by local people.

Community members reported instances of diarrhoea among people who had consumed water from the streams. They suspected that manganese particles were causing this outbreak of illness and attributed this pollution to a particular mining company. Community members also highlighted the hazardous trenches left behind by other mining companies operating in the community.

This triggered an intervention from the DWRD – one of five governmental departments in Zambia’s Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation that provides policy guidance on national water resource-related issues.

As a result of the community action, in October 2023 the DWRD engaged the Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) about the water pollution issue. WARMA subsequently issued a ‘stop order’ to the mining company that was alleged to have been polluting the streams. (WARMA’s mandate includes monitoringcompliance and protectionof water resources, including the prevention of pollution and over-extraction).

This temporary suspension will be in place until the mining company implements mitigation measures to address stream pollution.

How the change came about

 

July 2023

As part of the ALIGN project, IIED partners ZLA and CTPD develop a community engagement initiative in Zambia, to address local concerns over levels of pollution arising from manganese mining activities.

September 2023

ZLA and CTPD facilitate a public forum attended by representatives of Zambia’s Department of Water Resource Development (DRWD) representatives of mining companies, and community members.

October 2023

As a result of community action, DWRD engaged Zambia’s Water Resource Management Authority (WARMA), which temporarily suspends the mining company that was alleged to have been polluting the streams in Mkushi District.

October 2024

A year later, the suspension remains in place and the mine is currently not in operation.

A significant outcome

IIED believes this outcome reaffirms the power of community action in environmental protection and community wellbeing. Rose Mosi, senior researcher for IIED’s law, economies and justice programme, said: “Through this collaborative work, the affected community was able to share their concerns with a public sector agency and to a private sector actor, and to have their voices heard and concerns addressed.

“This two-way dialogue is significant. It reminds us just how important it is to create platforms and opportunities for community members to connect directly with key stakeholders so they can address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development in their regions.”

At the time of writing, the mining operation in question remains inactive, with confirmed reports of machinery being relocated away from the streams. Mosi added: “This is a particularly noteworthy outcome because the governmental department chose to act in favour of the community, after hearing their concerns. This is not common practice: it reflects communities that are confident and informed, and also reflects the value of constructive government engagement.

“What is also significant here is that we can see the ‘precautionary principle’ in action. In other words, the government decided to exercise caution based on the communities’ feedback and complaints, rather than waiting for scientific verification of their concerns. This is not often the case in such contexts and it is a welcome move.”

Funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), ALIGN is working to strengthen local rights, foster public participation, integrate more responsible practices and increase accountability in land-based investment processes in Zambia.