Zambia's government has responded to concerns from the US embassy regarding a toxic spill at the Sino-Metals mine in the Copperbelt region, asserting that safety levels in the area have returned to normal. The spill occurred earlier this year when a tailings dam collapsed, leading to fears of contamination in local water sources. The US embassy's recent alert raised alarms about hazardous and carcinogenic substances in the environment, prompting the withdrawal of US personnel from Kitwe town. However, Zambia's government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa refuted these claims, stating that laboratory results indicate the water is safe to drink and there are no serious health implications present.

Green Economy Minister Mike Mposha emphasized that the government has actively monitored the situation since the incident, stating that affected communities were compensated and ongoing testing ensures that water quality complies with World Health Organization standards. Critics including opposition Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba argue that the embassy's alert is rooted in geopolitical interests, questioning the delay in response since the initial spill. The Centre for Environment Justice urged swift action to address pollution, highlighting the need for future preventative measures to safeguard public health and environmental integrity.