PLANNING FOR CLOSURE COPPERBELT ENVIRONMENT PROJECT, ZAMBIA

摘要

Zambia’s Copperbelt Environment Project (CEP) was conceived in support of the privatisation process for former state controlled mining assets, whereby the Government of Zambia indemnified new investors against assuming historical environmental liabilities.The primary objective of the CEP is to redress environmental degradation resulting from decades of mineral extraction in the Copperbelt province and in the city of Kabwe, a leadzinc mine site and contaminated areas downwind of the former smelter location. One of the key issues being addressed in the CEP is the rehabilitation of tailings dumps (TDs) which suffered from extensive sedimentation, heavy metal contamination and degradation of water resources. The CEP is engaging key stakeholders, including communities, in channelling the modest remediation budget to optimise social and environmental benefits, while minimizing expenditures on unwarranted measures on the basis of cost/benefit considerations. In achieving this outcome, the overall target of facilitating the sustainable privatization of the Zambian mining industry is being achieved, thus increasing attractiveness of the mining sector for future investment.