Mines warned

[bingogo]

The Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investments Holdings ZCCM-IH has warned mining firms polluting the environment.

ZCCM-IH says those polluting indiscriminately will now face stiffer penalties following the enactment of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) No. 12 of 2011.

ZCCM-IH Environmental Manager Joseph Makumba says firms found wanting by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency -Zema will be compelled to pay up to 126 million kwacha for polluting the environment.

Under the Environmental Management Act, offenders contravening the act will face up to five to seven years imprisonment.

And the ZCCM-IH says it is working on modalities of strengthening the capacities of certain local authorities so that can handle environmental issues affecting communities in mining townships.

Mr. Makumba was speaking in Kitwe during the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants’ ZICA discussion forum held under the theme: “ Tackling pollution on the Copperbelt”.