Dozens of smallholder farmers in Zambia’s Copperbelt have filed a lawsuit against Chinese-owned Sino-Metals Leach (SML), alleging a February dam failure near Kitwe released tens of millions of litres of mining waste that contaminated fields and waterways.
Court filings say clean-up contractor Drizit, hired by the national environmental regulator, assessed the spill at roughly 20 times SML’s initial estimate. The waste reportedly contained elevated levels of cyanide, arsenic, copper and cadmium—chemicals the World Health Organization associates with cancer and birth defects.
Representing about 50 farmers, the suit seeks $220 million to fund an independent environmental impact assessment, comprehensive medical screening, immediate relocation and eventual compensation. It follows a separate complaint lodged weeks earlier by 176 residents.
SML has denied wrongdoing, calling the case unfounded and saying it has met rehabilitation and restoration requirements set by Zambian authorities. The dispute sets up a high-stakes test of environmental liability and community health protections in one of Africa’s largest copper-producing regions.