Millions of Zambians along the Kafue River are coming to grips with the devastating environmental impact brought about by a massive acid spill from a Chinese-run copper mine. A tailings dam broke on February 18th, sending 50 million liters of toxic water into the Kafue River, killing fish, wildlife and endangering public health.

Sino-Metals, the Chinese mining company, apologized for the accident and said that it is “doing its best” to clean up the mess.

Eric, Cobus, and Geraud discuss the political implications of the spill and what’s at stake for the Chinese government if the company fails to take care of this environmental tragedy. Plus, the guys also break down a new $1.4 billion Chinese deal to refurbish the TAZARA railway and the prospects of a U.S. critical resource mining deal in the DRC.

Show Notes:

• Associated Press: A river ‘died’ overnight in Zambia after an acidic waste spill at a Chinese-owned mine by Richard Kille and Jacob Zimba
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Can the DRC Leverage U.S.-China Competition Over Critical Minerals for Peace? by Christian-Géraud Neema
• Bloomberg: China to Invest $1.4 Billion to Upgrade Tanzana-Zambia Rail Line by Matthew Hill

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