LUSAKA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's environmental regulator said on Friday that an acid plant belonging to Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has been shut following a report of an abnormal discharge of sulphur dioxide which has affected residents living around the mining area in Chingola district on the Copperbelt Province.
The Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) said the mining firm has shut the acid plant and that a team of inspectors has been dispatched to investigate the incident.
Ireen Chipili, corporate affairs manager at the regulator said in a statement that preliminary information availed by the mining firm indicate that a number of people living around the mining area have been affected by the emissions.
Some people have since been hospitalized, she added.
She further said further regulatory action will be undertaken in line with the provisions of the country's environmental laws once investigations have been concluded. Enditem
