KCM and Environmental Council reach amicable settlement

ZANIS, the Zambian Government News Agency, is reporting via Zambian radio stations this morning (I will try to find an internet link) that Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), owned by Anglo-Indian multinational Vedanta Resources have reached an 'amicable settlement' with the Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ) over its pollution of the Kafue River.

The issue is discussed in detail in the 'For Whom the Windfalls?' report, and was an issue of significant controversy in the country late last year, due to the severity of the poisoning of one of Zambia's main water sources and the perceived failings of Government in general and regulatory authorities such as ECZ in particular to hold companies accountable for illegal activities in terms of environment, labour and health and safety.

The details of the settlement will no doubt emerge in days to come, but the terms being reported in the media seem incredibly generous to the company, especially given that immediately following the spill, ECZ were threatening legal action against the company. KCM has apparently replaced all of the corroded pipes in its pollution control dam, which were responsible for the original spill, and has provided boreholes so that residents in the local townships and villages most immediately affected by the spill can access water without recourse to the river itself.