Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Lusaka, Zambia, August 6, 2025
Location: Chambishi, Mwambashi, and Kitwe areas in Copperbelt Province
Event: Due to the health threats posed from the widespread contamination of water and soil by toxic heavy metals stemming from the Sino Metals mine dam spill, the United States government has reassigned personnel from and imposed travel restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Chambishi town, all areas along the Chambishi Stream and Mwambashi River to the Mwambashi-Kafue confluence point, and Kitwe town.
The U.S. government has further ordered U.S. personnel to avoid any travel to Kitwe Town that renders them dependent on drinking, or eating food cooked with, municipally available water.
Beyond contaminated water and soil, contaminants from the spilled mine’s tailings may also become airborne, posing a health threat if inhaled. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the vicinity of the Sino Metals Leach Mine in Chambishi and downstream areas to Kitwe to take precautions against exposure to, and consumption of, heavy metal contaminated water or foods cooked with it.
