SOIL REMEDIATION IN CHAMBISHI’S KALUSALE AREA REACHES 100 PERCENT
By Raphael Mulenga
Targus Limited, the firm engaged to undertake the clean-up exercise in Chambishi’s Kalusale area, says soil remediation has reached 100 percent, with the project now awaiting regulatory monitoring and final verification before completion.
Targus Limited Executive Director Montgomery Mulengeshi says validated Environmental and Social Impact Incident Assessment results show the primary contamination footprint covers about 535 hectares, mainly along the Chambishi catchment corridor and the confluence with the Mwambashi River.
Mr. Mulengeshi said the affected area has been classified into agricultural land, forest land, wetlands, mining land and degraded land to guide rehabilitation priorities, improve resource allocation and ensure targeted cleanup interventions.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Mulengeshi stated that sediment removal has also been completed at all six identified environmental hotspots, with more than 3,000 cubic metres of contaminated material safely disposed of at Tailings Dam 15, paving the way for ecological restoration of riverbanks and wetlands.
Mr. Mulengeshi further said the verified investigation area now stands at 536.69 hectares following field assessments and drone mapping.
He said that restoration efforts are expected to support the long-term recovery of aquatic ecosystems, including the natural return of fish populations once environmental regulators complete monitoring.
On 21st March, 2026, Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited commenced the clean-up, remediation and restoration programme for areas affected by the 18th February, 2025 pollution incident, with works led by Targus and China Nonferrous Metals Guilin Mineral Resources & Geology Research Institute Company Limited.
PHOENIX NEWS