Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese Mining Company Over Toxic Spill, Seek $220 Million in Damages

Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese Mining Company Over Toxic Spill, Seek $220 Million in Damages

Dozens of Zambian farmers have filed a lawsuit against Chinese mining company Sino-Metals Leach (SML), seeking $220 million in damages following a massive toxic spill earlier this year that severely contaminated land and water resources. The incident occurred on Feb. 18 near Kitwe, in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province, when a waste dam at the SML-operated mine burst. The company initially estimated the volume of the mining effluent released to be aro…