Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published updated travel advice regarding Zambia, informing anyone traveling there about the Sino Metals tailings accident that occurred in February 2025 and its consequences.
An accident at the Sino Metals Leach mine in Copperbelt province released approximately 50 million liters of contaminated wastewater into the Mwambashi River, also affecting the Kafue River basin. Fishing is prohibited in these rivers and travel in these areas is discouraged.
The Finnish embassy published the information that EPSE took a water sample from the tailings pond at the Sino Metals Leach mine, which contained 24 different heavy metals, 16 of which exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold values. The heavy metals exceeding the threshold values include nickel, lead, arsenic, zinc, and uranium.
The samples and their test results are not publicly available, but EPSE has been in close contact with the Finnish Embassy in Zambia.
EPSE’s response to any inquiries
EPSE Oy is a Finnish environmental technology company specializing in the treatment of heavy metal-contaminated waters and improving the environmental safety of mine site storage areas. We have been closely monitoring the situation in the Copperbelt Province, as heavy metal management is at the core of our expertise.
We have conducted independent expert studies to assess the incident and its consequences, as the Finnish Embassy published. However, analytical data that we have collected cannot be disclosed without a formal contractual relationship and the necessary permissions.
We recognize the seriousness of the situation, and continue the dialogue with authorities and the Finnish government agencies, remaining open to discussions on potential cooperation to support environmental safety improvements in the area. We are concerned about the health and safety of the public, as our assessments show that all acid tailings dams in the area need to be treated with EPSE chemical and lime to render the water safe, should there be any spillage in the future.
Any further inquries are directed to EPSE executive team.
Want to know more? Information on specific metals, including Uranium, on EPSE website.
This post was written by
Anni Honkonen
EHSQ Manager
anni.honkonen(a)epse.fi
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