Government Must Cancel Mining in The Lower Zambezi National Park
Abstract
The economy of Zambia depends heavily on mining of Copper and other minerals. Despite its economic
contributions, the mining industry has also brought the problem of environmental degradation. The High Court of Zambia has ruled that the controversial Kangaluwi open-cast copper mine project must go ahead in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National park. The site of the mine is between two seasonal rivers which flow directly into the Zambezi River. In the same vain, the mine’s tailings dams will be located just a few hundred meters above the valley floor, next to these rivers. The risk of pollution and collateral damage to the
environment is high, as is the impact the mine will have on the wildlife in the area. In this regard The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) is appealing to the Government of Zambia to immediately cancel the Mining license in the Lower Zambezi National park, protect the country’s environmental well-being and the future inheritance of generations to come
Description
Pope Francis in his environmental encyclical, Laudato Si has encouraged us to care for our common
home the “Environment“. This statement presents the concerns of JCTR with the type of mining developments in the lower Zambezi national park as it is not sustainable and a danger to the eco-system, biodiversity and the entire environmental wellbeing.