KCM ACTS TO PREVENT WATER POLLUTION

KONKOLA Copper Mine (KCM) has constructed a 250m thick wall separating Chati Stream and Mwambashi River at the confluence, to improve the quality of water pumped to Kalulushi by the water utility company.

The wall has since been handed over to Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC).

KCM SmelterCo Limited Director, Enock Mponda, said the project was a more permanent solution to maintaining good water quality at the Nkana Water abstraction point on Chati Stream.

Mr Mponda said the over $1 million project commenced in November last year and was completed last month.

“May I take this opportunity to thank KCM engineering team for designing and executing the works. Their efforts and hard work have culminated into the achievement of an important environmental milestone for

KCM,” he said. Mr Mponda said other major project works involved dredging the area around the abstraction point that was overgrown with reeds.

Meanwhile, NWSC Managing Director Diana Makwaba said water samples taken by the company and ZEMA showed that the water quality had improved since the dyke was built.

Ms Makwaba said the water treatment costs were going down adding that water supply to Kalulushi had also stabilised as there were now less shutdowns emanating from poor water quality in the stream.

She said the wall will also serve as a crossing point to nearby places, accessing schools, and markets to sell farm produce.

May I take this opportunity to thank KCM engineering team for designing and executing the works. Their efforts and hard work have culminated into the achievement of an important environmental milestone for KCM

— Mr Mponda