RE: Kabwe and environmental issues22 Jul 2021 23:09
Mammon. From my understanding it's the dust from the lead tailings which causes the most problems for Kabwe residents. It blows about all over the suburbs, schools and gardens causing massive health problems. Children are particularly affected as they play near the dumps and their bodies are more susceptible to the toxins in the lead. The other problem is illegal bucket and spade mining by locals who put themselves at great risk from the pollution and cave-ins. Previous BMR RNSs have indicated that the lead extraction was going to be highly controlled with use of water sprays to keep dust to a minimum.
I believe that the Zambian Government assumed responsibility for past pollution and as any Jubilee remediation will be done in conjunction with and closely monitored by ZEMA, there hopefully shouldn't be too much risk to Jubilee and its shareholders.
I personally feel the lead, whilst at very high percentages in the tailings, but with much lower values than copper, is more of a sprat to catch a mackerel, with copper being the main prize now that Jubilee have established a foothold in Zambia. But Jubilee need to make sure that the continuing delays to a lead start date don't upset the Zambians who have already shown a willingness to remove licences where they feel necessary.