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
Logging and illegal timber threaten Cameroon's forests
Cameroon's forests face growing pressure from both legal and illegal logging, plus expanding agriculture and timber trafficking. Exports have shifted from Europe to Asia, enforcement is weak, and the situation harms biodiversity, communities and state revenues.