After a tailings dam burst back in February resulting in an environmental disaster, a Zambian community’s court action received media coverage around the world just two weeks ago. Could a mining accident like this happen here?

Yes, it could. We don’t want this to ever be Golden Bay’s story if the proposed Sams Creek gold mine located above our valley’s water supply was given Fast-tracked approval from our government to proceed:

“Chinese firm sued for billions over toxic tailings dam burst” –
Farmers in Zambia are now suing Chinese-owned mining company Sino-Metals Leach Zambia which they claim was responsible. The flood of toxic mining waste from the copper mine in the country’s north was acidic enough to dissolve human bone and surged into streams and rivers including the Kafue, which supplies drinking water to millions of people including in the capital city.

An independent audit found waste with dangerous levels of cyanide, arsenic, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium and other pollutants in the water. The audit states that livestock and fish have died, and the chemicals post ‘significant long-term health risks including organ damage, birth defects and cancer, with people living downstream at risk for decades unless the waste is safely removed’.

According to documents filed at the High Court in Lusaka, exposure to the pollution has already caused a range of immediate health problems including abdominal pain, skin irritation, respiratory problems, blood in urine and vomiting. The applicants blame the dam collapse on factors including engineering failures, construction flaws and operational mismanagement.

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What can you do to help protect our unique water catchment feeding our beautiful Springs and community’s drinking water? Visit our Take Action page for suggestions – https://samscreek.nz/take-action/.