Analysis of environmental and health risks of mining
The project, implemented in 2009 , was part of development cooperation between the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and partner institutions in Zambia. OPV participated in the project in cooperation with the Czech Geological Survey.
The work focused on the heavily polluted areas of Ndola and Bwana Mkubwa, where long-term mining and processing of copper ore led to contamination of groundwater and surface water and negative impacts on the health of the population.
Solution
- Field monitoring of heavy metal concentrations
- Hydrogeological survey and borehole design
- Geochemical evaluation
- Comprehensive environmental and health risk analyses
Result
A comprehensive study was produced that can be used by the state administration, the mining sector, and for land-use planning. The project contributed to the identification of safe drinking water sources and created a basis for systematic environmental protection in mining regions.
