6 months after toxic mine spill in northern Zambia, US Embassy orders personnel out of the area
The embassy said in an alert on social media that new information revealed that 'hazardous and carcinogenic substances' including arsenic, cyanide, uranium and other heavy metals had polluted a major river system flowing through the town of Chambishi and the nearby city of Kitwe, and had possibly become airborne, following an accident at the mine in February.
The embassy didn't immediately say how many U.S. government personnel were in the copper mining area. It also advised other U.S. citizens in the area to take precautions against exposure to harmful heavy metal contamination in water and food.
Around 700,000 people live in Kitwe, one of Zambia's biggest cities and a hub for international mining companies.
Environmentalists and others raised concerns over the extent of the damage months ago following the spill at the mine run by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a division of China 's state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining group. China is the dominant player in copper mining in Zambia, which is one of the world's biggest producers.
The spill happened when a tailings dam that holds acidic and heavy metals waste from the mine collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia, resulting in some 50 million liters (13.2 million gallons) of toxic materials flowing into the Kafue River system.
Within days of the spill, dead fish could be seen up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream, raising fears that the contamination could affect millions living along the Kafue River, which runs for 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) through the heart of the southern African country.
Sino-Metals apologized and committed to help with cleanup efforts, which included the Zambian Air Force dumping hundreds of tons of lime into the river in an attempt to counteract the acidic waste.
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The Guardian
11 hours ago
- The Guardian
Ditch your dish sponge, take a packed lunch: 33 easy plastic-free kitchen swaps
The world, according to a new expert review, is in a 'plastics crisis', driven by a huge acceleration in plastic production and a rise in single-use plastics. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. At a domestic level, it's time to take action. Our kitchens in particular are full of plastic, from washing-up brushes to measuring jugs. And with a constant cycle of news stories about their possible harms – from black kitchen utensils that leak chemicals to chopping boards that release millions of microplastics – our kitchens can feel like a swamp of toxins. Many utensils can be replaced with wooden, metal, glass or even bamboo alternatives. We're not suggesting you throw out all your plastic kitchen accessories in one go – it's much more sustainable to use what you already have until it needs replacing than send a perfectly good plastic colander to landfill in the name of being more environmentally mindful. But when the time comes to replace your washing-up bowl or you eventually run out of clingfilm, here are a few of our favourite plastic-free kitchen swaps for you to consider. Both wood and metal utensils have their pros and cons, and both need to be used and cared for correctly to get the most out of them. Wooden and bamboo utensils won't damage the bottom of your pans, but they do need to be washed by hand with soapy water if you want them to last, and oiled if they start looking dry. Metal utensils are much less high maintenance and are often dishwasher-safe, but you need to take care when using them to avoid scratching your cookware. KitchenAid birchwood utensil set This four-piece set comes with a spoon, fish slice, slotted spoon and slotted turner. A great choice if you like your kitchen to be pretty as well as functional, these lovely Birchwood utensils would look great hanging on the wall. Bambu bamboo spatula A utensil that can get into the awkward corners of your pans and bowls is always handy, and this bamboo spatula is shaped to do just that. KitchenCraft metal oval fish slice This oval fish slice is the ideal shape to slide under food stuck to your baking trays. It's made from stainless steel, so it's also dishwasher safe. ProCook bamboo tongs Whether you need to flip bacon or retrieve a crumpet lodged in the toaster (please switch it off at the wall first), these bamboo tongs are a handy kitchen tool. They have a built-in magnet so you can stick them to the side of your fridge or a metal kitchen appliance, saving you from endlessly fishing around in a drawer. There's a misconception that wooden chopping boards are less hygienic than plastic, but studies have shown this isn't the case. In fact, plastic chopping boards have been confirmed as a previously overlooked source of microplastics in our food. So wood is by far the best choice for a chopping board. As with utensils, though, wooden chopping boards do require a bit of extra care. Wash them thoroughly with soapy water after use (but never leave them to soak), and wait for them to dry out completely before storing, to prevent mould or cracking in the wood. Habitat industrial wood butcher's block This industrial-style board is made from dark acacia wood, formed in the classic chequerboard style of a butcher's block. It's so pretty you'll want to permanently display it on your countertop. Season teak end grain chopping board Made from sustainably sourced teak, which has natural moisture-resistant properties, this board has a groove around the edge to catch scraps of food and keep your countertops tidy. Season also sells its own oil to keep it in top condition. Opt for a more durable stainless steel colander over a flimsy plastic one. This one from Dunelm has small enough holes that it can also double as a sieve. Dunelm Essentials stainless steel colander It's generally advised to avoid consuming hot liquids that have been exposed to plastic, as some plastics may shed microplastics or leak chemicals when exposed to heat. So if you're partial to mixing up stock or measuring hot liquids in a plastic jug, it's worth investing in an alternative. For a convenient and easy swap, go for a glass measuring jug – as these are readily available and often microwave and dishwasher safe. Pyrex glass measuring jug This Pyrex jug has both imperial and metric measurements going up to 1L and 1 and 1/2 pints. It's microwave, dishwasher, oven and freezer safe, making it useful for food prep and storage as well as measuring. You can buy measuring spoons made of stainless steel, china, copper, wood … the list goes on. And there's no real benefit to plastic spoons over these more eco-friendly materials (with all of them being dishwasher-safe except for wood), so swapping them out is a no-brainer. Yvonne Ellen fine china measuring spoons These cute measuring spoons come in jolly pastel colours to brighten up your baking. Tala stainless steel measuring spoons This Tala set comes with five measuring spoons, ranging from 1/4 teaspoon to a tablespoon, and they're made from durable stainless steel. Washing-up bowls tend to be made of plastic, and most alternatives are made from stainless steel. 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Wild & Stone coconut fibre dish brush This brush from Wild & Stone is made from 100% FSC-certified beechwood and sustainably sourced coconut fibre, meaning it's mostly biodegradable. Just don't leave the brush sitting in hot water, as the natural glue around the head may dissolve. Ecoliving wooden dish brush with replaceable head The bristles of this brush are made from plant fibres, and the head can be removed and replaced as needed. This saves you from having to buy a whole new brush, cutting down on waste. The scouring part of a standard kitchen sponge often includes plastic, which can shed and become a source of microplastics throughout our kitchens. But plant-based materials such as loofah and coconut fibres are naturally coarse and up to the task of scrubbing your pots and pans. Seep eco sponge scourers Made from loofah and wood pulp cellulose, these sponges from Seep are safe to use on nonstick pans. A pack should last you a whole year. Regn coconut kitchen scourers Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion These scourers are made from coconut fibres that are tough on grime and mess but gentle on your skin. They're also biodegradable, so you can throw them away guilt-free when they've run their course. There are plenty of refillable washing-up liquids out there, which help to cut down on plastic by encouraging you to reuse a single bottle. However, many of them still involve plastic packaging for the refills. Not so for Iron & Velvet's water-soluble sachets, which are delivered inside cardboard packaging. Mix these with water in a dispenser to create the washing-up liquid. There's no dispenser provided, as you're encouraged to use one you already own to further cut down on waste. 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A Slice of Green stainless steel oval lunch box This stainless-steel lunchbox with closure clips is perfect for storing leftover meals or taking lunch on the go. ZenithCart stainless steel storage pots This trio of pots comes with three sizes, making it easy to store half a lemon or other odds and ends. Elephant Box leakproof food canister trio These useful canisters are leakproof, thanks to their screw-top closure – and they're pretty cute too. Another alternative to clingfilm is beeswax wraps. They're made by coating a piece of material in beeswax to make it pliable and able to hold its shape when wrapped around any leftover food. They're fairly easy to make, if you're up for it, but if not, there are plenty of ready-made ones available. To maintain them, wash with washing-up liquid in cool water, to avoid melting the wax, and gently scrub to remove any residue. Once clean, lay them flat or hang them from a drainer to dry completely before storing. 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If you don't have access to a local shop, there are plenty of refill subscriptions online for everything from laundry capsules to fruit and veg boxes. Check out 16 subscription services to save you time and money Thermos stainless steel food flask Instead of picking up a plastic-wrapped supermarket meal deal or chain coffee-shop salad, take your own lunch into work in a flask or lunchbox. This can also save you money in the long run, particularly if you batch cook your lunches at the start of the week. A Thermos flask is a versatile container, ideal for keeping soup or curries hot and pasta salads cold. Filter editor Hannah Booth is such a fan that she bought two. Check out 20 simple ways to cut down on plastic (and save money) It's so easy to fall prey to the latest kitchen gadget, only to use it twice before it gathers dust on your countertop. Reduce waste by borrowing the kinds of appliances you'd use occasionally from a local library of things. They're available all over the country and allow you to rent all manner of tools for as little as £1.50 a day. When browsing a few local libraries, I spotted everything from waffle makers to air fryers. Have you made thoughtful, eco-friendly swaps in your kitchen? Whether you're actively trying to reduce plastic or you've eliminated it entirely, let us know by emailing thefilter@
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
6 months after toxic mine spill in northern Zambia, US Embassy orders personnel out of the area
The United States Embassy in Zambia ordered all U.S. government personnel Wednesday to leave a region in the north of the country affected by a toxic spill from a Chinese-owned mine that happened six months ago. The embassy said in an alert on social media that new information revealed that 'hazardous and carcinogenic substances' including arsenic, cyanide, uranium and other heavy metals had polluted a major river system flowing through the town of Chambishi and the nearby city of Kitwe, and had possibly become airborne, following an accident at the mine in February. The embassy didn't immediately say how many U.S. government personnel were in the copper mining area. It also advised other U.S. citizens in the area to take precautions against exposure to harmful heavy metal contamination in water and food. Around 700,000 people live in Kitwe, one of Zambia's biggest cities and a hub for international mining companies. Environmentalists and others raised concerns over the extent of the damage months ago following the spill at the mine run by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a division of China 's state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining group. China is the dominant player in copper mining in Zambia, which is one of the world's biggest producers. The spill happened when a tailings dam that holds acidic and heavy metals waste from the mine collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia, resulting in some 50 million liters (13.2 million gallons) of toxic materials flowing into the Kafue River system. Within days of the spill, dead fish could be seen up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream, raising fears that the contamination could affect millions living along the Kafue River, which runs for 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) through the heart of the southern African country. Sino-Metals apologized and committed to help with cleanup efforts, which included the Zambian Air Force dumping hundreds of tons of lime into the river in an attempt to counteract the acidic waste. ___
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Oceangate's Titan whistleblower: 'People were sold a lie'
When the Titan submersible went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic in 2023, David Lochridge hoped the five people on board – including his former boss - could be rescued."I always hoped that what happened wouldn't happen. But I just knew if they kept carrying on the way they were going and with that deficient equipment, then there would be an incident," he told the whistleblower had been sacked by the firm behind the sub, Oceangate, after warning about safety issues in June 2023 the sub imploded killing all five people on board – including Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush. A report from the US Coast Guard (USCG) published on Tuesday found that Oceangate's failures over safety, testing and maintenance were the main cause of the disaster."There is so much that could have been done differently. From the initial design, to the build, to the operations - people were sold a lie," Lochridge told the he firmly believes the US authorities could - and should - have done more to stop Oceangate. Lochridge had joined Oceangate seven years earlier as the company's Director of Marine Operations. He moved his family from Scotland to the US, and was full of excitement about the company's was building a new submersible to take paying passengers down to the most famous wreck in the world - the he was going to be involved in the project from the very start, working alongside the team designing the straight-talking Glaswegian has worked at sea for more than 25 years, first with the Royal Navy and later as a submersible pilot. He also led submarine rescue operations, responding to distress calls from people trapped underwater. He knows about the risks involved in deep responsibilities included planning dives and, as chief pilot, he would be the one taking the sub and its passengers 3,800m beneath the waves to see the Titanic. Safety was at the heart of his role."As the director of marine operations, I'm the one responsible for everybody," he told BBC News. "I was responsible for the safety of all Oceangate personnel and all of the passengers that were going to be coming in the sub." A prototype for the new submersible, which would eventually be called Titan, was being developed with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The plan was to build its hull - the part where the passengers would sit - out of carbon deep diving sub had been made out of this material before - most have hulls constructed from titanium or steel. But Lochridge had confidence in the APL said he was told by Oceangate's CEO Stockton Rush that the craft would undergo a safety assessment by an independent marine organisation, known as was adamant that this third-party oversight was essential - especially because Titan was to be made of experimental by the summer of 2016 he was starting to have doubts about the stopped working with APL and decided to bring the design and construction of Titan was worried. He didn't have the same confidence in Oceangate's engineers. He told the BBC he didn't think they had experience of building subs able to withstand the immense pressures found at the depth of the Titanic."At that point, I started asking questions… and I felt I had a duty of care to keep asking them," he the parts for Titan began to arrive, and the craft started to take shape, Lochridge said he was spotting problem after problem."When the carbon hull came in, it was an absolute mess," he saw visible gaps in the material, areas where the layers of carbon fibre were coming apart - known as he identified issues with other key components. The carbon fibre hull had titanium domes fitted on each end, but he said the metal had been machined incorrectly. He was also worried that the sub's view port had not been designed to work at extreme concerning, he learnt that Titan was not going to be independently certified for told the BBC that he had always been outspoken on safety issues - so he wasn't going to stay silent."I brought up all the issues that I was seeing… but I was just met with resistance all the way," he January 2018, he outlined his concerns again to Stockton Rush. This time Rush asked him to complete an inspection of the was at a crucial point of its development. Passengers had already paid deposits for dives to the Titanic planned for later that year. Test dives were about to start in the Bahamas before those expeditions got wanted Oceangate to delay these plans."I formulated a report and I sent it out to all the directors in the company."The following day he was summoned to a meeting with Rush and several other Oceangate employees.A transcript from the two-hour-long meeting, where the itemised report was picked over, reveals a heated exchange between Lochridge and the end of the meeting, in response to Lochridge's safety concerns, Rush says: "I have no desire to die. I've got a nice granddaughter. I'm going to be around. I understand this kind of risk, and I'm going into it with eyes open, and I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do."To Lochridge's surprise, immediately after this meeting he was he was so concerned about Titan that he got in touch with the US government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration - told him his case was urgent because it involved public safety and that he would be placed under the whistleblower protection scheme, designed to protect employees from retaliation by employers if they've reported concerns about workplace part of this process, OSHA passed Lochridge's concerns about Titan to the US Coast Guard (USCG) in February Lochridge says after OSHA wrote to Oceangate to tell them it was starting an investigation, everything March, Oceangate asked Lochridge to drop the OSHA complaint - and demanded he pay $10,000 for legal costs. Lochridge in July 2018, Oceangate sued Lochridge - and his wife Carole - for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and theft, amongst other allegations. The following month, Lochridge countersued for unfair maintains that throughout the process OSHA was slow and failed to protect him from the ongoing retaliation he was receiving from Oceangate."I provided all the documentation to OSHA, I was on the phone to OSHA every few weeks." he said. "OSHA did nothing." 'They beat us down' In December 2018, under increasing pressure from Oceangate's lawyers, Lochridge and his wife took the decision to drop the meant the legal proceedings were settled, and as part of this agreement Lochridge withdrew his complaint at OSHA. OSHA stopped its investigation and also notified the US Coast guard that the complaint had been suspended. Lochridge also signed a non-disclosure agreement."Carole and I did everything we physically could, we just got to the point that we were completely burned… We had nothing left to give to it. They beat us down."Oceangate continued at pace with its plans to reach the 2018 and 2019, the prototype sub made its first test dives in the Bahamas - including one, piloted by Stockton Rush, that reached a depth of 3,939m.A crack was later found in the sub's carbon fibre hull, and in 2020 that damaged hull was swapped out for a new one, in what became the second version of Titan. In 2021, the company started taking passengers to the Titanic, and over the next two summers made 13 dives to the famous in June 2023, the sub went missing with five people on board - including Stockton Rush. After days of anxious waiting, the sub's wreckage was found littered across the ocean the US Coast Guard's public hearings held last year, Lochridge criticised OSHA for its lack of action. "I believe that if OSHA had attempted to investigate the seriousness of the concerns I raised on multiple occasions, this tragedy may have been prevented.""It didn't need to happen. It didn't - and it should have been stopped."In response to Mr Lochridge, a spokesperson for OSHA said its whistleblower protection programme was limited to protecting individuals against employer retaliation. They said their investigation had "followed the normal process and timeline for a retaliation case".OSHA said it does not investigate whistleblowers' underlying allegations about public safety… but instead refers those to the appropriate agency - in this case, the US Coast spokesperson said: "The Coast Guard, not OSHA, had jurisdiction to investigate Mr. Lochridge's allegations regarding the safe design and construction of marine vessels."But the US Coast Guard's report into the disaster agrees with Lochridge and says that OSHA's slow handling of the investigation was a missed opportunity for early government report also criticises a lack of effective communication and coordination between OSHA and the USCG. It said action has now been taken to improve this following the disaster. Jason Neubauer, the chair of the USCG's Marine Board of Investigation, told the BBC that the coast guard could have done more. "The system did not work for the whistleblower in this case, and that's why we just need to get better - and we have."Oceangate said that in the wake of the accident, it had permanently wound down operations and directed its resources towards cooperating with the inquiry.
