A total of 27 Kolwezi residents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are suing a Chinese-controlled copper-cobalt miner and Congolese authorities over alleged air, water, and soil pollution.
The claimants, including eight children, are seeking almost US$1.3 million ($1.9 million) in compensation and US$5 million for environmental restoration.
The case names Compagnie Minière de Musonoie Global (COMMUS), which is majority-controlled by Zijin Mining Group (HKEX:2899), alongside the Congolese state and the Congolese Environment Agency.
Kolwezi’s Commercial Court held its first public hearing on 3 November, according to a France 24 report. Proceedings focused on procedural matters, and the court has not examined the allegations or determined liability.
The residents allege pollution from the COMMUS operation has affected their health, water supplies, livelihoods, and surrounding land. They are also seeking safe drinking water, remediation work, and an independent health assessment.
The case draws on scientific studies commissioned by corporate accountability group RAID and Congolese organisation AFREWATCH.
Researchers recorded fine particulate pollution near a local school at almost three times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily limit. Monitoring during September and October reportedly produced average readings more than five times the guideline.
The studies also identified highly acidic water and elevated metal concentrations in a community well near the mine’s tailings facility. The findings associate the contamination with industrial mining but do not establish COMMUS’s legal responsibility.
COMMUS said in July that its operations comply with Congolese environmental requirements and that its monitoring showed air quality generally met applicable standards. It argued pollution around Kolwezi could have several sources, including natural geology, historical mining, and other industrial operations.
The response addressed the earlier studies rather than the lawsuit. COMMUS and the Congolese authorities have not publicly responded to the proceedings.
The case follows separate tensions in Kolwezi, where enforcement action against unauthorised mining recently prompted protests, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
Zijin Mining is a China-based multinational metals producer with operations spanning copper, gold, zinc, lithium, and other minerals.
The DRC is the world’s largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Zijin Mining Group
