Vandalism Takes Toll On Tailings Dams

Vandalism is the biggest challenge ZCCM IH is facing in maintaining the tailings dams on the Copperbelt.
Dam structures have been stolen and this has lead to rapid deterioration of dam walls.

According to environmental officer James Kalowa, people have stolen water management pipes leading to failure of dam walls. Even bricks from these water management structures have been stolen.

The negative impact of this trend is that the dams can end up overflowing (water) and some tailings do cover fields where people do normal cultivations. Additionally costs to do repairs go up.

“Major failures of dams can lead to death. In some cases solids increase and this can up the cost of producing quality treated for water utility companies,” he said.

As an interim measure ZCCM IH has engaged communities to monitor these dams and prevent people from trespassing. The presence of community members at some of these dams has in a way deterred thefts.

The measure is also a way of helping communities know the importance of preserving the environment.

“The public should appreciate the prevention of tailings getting into rivers. Rivers also support aquatic life”, Mr. Kalowa adds.

ZCCM IH would like to see a zero breach on any dams to prevent materials in rivers and fields. A breach is when there is a major failure of a dam which takes slurry into rivers or streams.

ZCCM IH manages various tailings dams which were handed over at the time of privatization to make the environment safe. Many dams in luanshya still remain under responsibility of government but some are under the private mines.

On an annual basis ZCCM IH conducts inspections on dams it is responsible for to determine major faults and repairs. The challenge is to find contractors who have experience in dam maintenance.

After inspections it produces a scope of works to be carried out contractors to prevent occurrence of the same. Work involves water management on a dam and proper discharge of water at the dam. Other works involve repairing of galleys that develop on the dams.


The long term measure however is to close these tailings dams after developing closure designs for each dam.

“To close a dam takes long time. You plant trees to act as wind breakers but you see results after many years”.

Mr. Kalowa says the first phase of the exercise involves determining the long term safety and stability of each dam. It also requires assessing the present risks that may occur in future.

The second phase involves agreeing on the final end use of each dam and this will involve stakeholder participation especially the affected or nearby communities.
After that closure will mostly involve grid works, re-vegetation and the construction of permanent water management systems will be implemented.

The end result of this entire work means there will be minimal annual works required and environmental risks from dams will be reduced to the minimum.
Dams will remain under low level monitoring and maintenance.

Determination of end use will involve meeting engineering designs for safety as well as what stakeholders would like to see.
So far three Dams have bee converted into boating clubs on the Copperbelt. These are the Mindolo dam, Makoma dam and Mufulira boating club,

Managing Tailings Dams

This is what ZCCM-IH is trying to do to maintain the tailings dams in Zambia's mining towns on the copperbelt province.
The organisation is trying to plant trees and grass at these dams.

Mine Tailings Dams: An Environmental Concern

Desert? No. This is a tailings dam resulting from the over 80 years 0f mining in kitwe.

Kitwe has dams like this which ZCCM Investment Holdings is trying to maintain by planting trees and grass to avoid erosion and possible collapse.

If these dams are not maintained the silt will find its way down stream to the Kafue river the only source of water for kitwe residents.

Obviously if that happened not only human life would be affected but also aquatic life.

ZCCM -IH has been tasked to mitigate the impact of the over 80 years of mining in zambia. Following the Privatisation of the coppermines in the nineties, the government of zambia did not want to pass on to new investors the environmental liabilities that had acccrued over the years.

This program is being supportted the world Bank and the Nordic Development Fund and the governmet of zambia.

Photo Diary

Kids playing with nature at kjke dam, north sea in Den Haag.

The environment is so important. lets put all our efforts together in conserving it!