Toxic mine spill in Lubumbashi, DRCCEFR A2
29 Nov 2025
Adapted from Laura, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Max Tcvetkov, Unsplash
On November 4, 2025 a dam at a mine in Lubumbashi broke and released acid-laden water. The mine is run by Congo Dongfang Mining, a subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Ltd.
Water filled ditches, entered homes and flooded the Moïse Katumbi market. Witnesses say CDM made channels through the southern wall to discharge large amounts of acidic wastewater. Local people say neighborhoods Kasapa, Kamisepe and Kamatete have had floods and house collapses each rainy season since 2012. In 2020 the NGO Afrewatch warned the company and authorities to protect people and the environment.
Authorities visited the site. On November 6, 2025 mining activities were suspended for three months. An investigation was announced on November 22, 2025.
Difficult words
- extract — to remove something from a source
- environmental — related to the natural world
- collapse — to fall down suddenlycollapsed
- contaminating — making something dirty or harmful
- regulation — rules made by authority to control something
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think environmental standards are important?
- How can local communities protect their health?
- What measures should be taken to improve mining regulations?
Related articles
Sudan turns to AI as health system struggles
Sudan’s health system is under severe strain after an almost two‑year civil war. A senior health official says the country is using artificial intelligence to help provide care where normal services no longer reach, while shortages and attacks worsen the crisis.
Some low-cost glucometers read newborn glucose accurately
A Rice360 study tested commonly available point-of-care glucometers in the lab to see if low-cost models can measure newborn glucose safely. Several inexpensive meters gave reliable readings at neonatal ranges, offering options for low-resource hospitals.
Indigenous leader Dzoodzo Baniwa wins climate award
Dzoodzo Baniwa, from the Alto Río Negro territory in Amazonas, won a Bunge Foundation award for work on the climate emergency and practical agricultural science solutions. The prize highlights links between indigenous knowledge and scientific practice.