The Sarrai Group, the new developers of Kilembe Mines Limited, has launched a crucial environmental protection initiative to secure thousands of tons of copper and cobalt tailings at the site.
This effort comes after years of seasonal flooding from River Nyamwamba that has exposed the region to both economic and ecological risks.
For over a decade, the tailings residues left behind from previous mining operations have been vulnerable to erosion due to the lack of a functional buffer zone.
Floodwaters repeatedly breached the containment areas, causing significant losses in mineral resources and environmental damage.
Richard Bomera, Chairperson of the Nyamwamba Catchment Management Committee, voiced his concerns about the ongoing damage: “The floods have not only resulted in economic losses but also triggered widespread contamination downstream.
"Much of the eroded material has eventually made its way into Lake George, a key source of livelihood for local fishing communities.”
In response to the situation, Sarrai Group has contracted a firm to de-silt and reinforce embankments along the most vulnerable sections of River Nyamwamba, particularly near the old tailings storage zones.
Michael Mwanga, Site Supervisor, outlined the upcoming measures: “The initiative will include the construction of protective barriers, river channel realignment, and the rehabilitation of degraded tailings storage facilities.”
These actions aim to prevent further erosion, restore ecological balance, and protect the livelihoods of communities downstream who depend on the clean waters of Lake George for fishing and other activities.
The Sarrai Group’s intervention marks a turning point in environmental stewardship in the Kilembe region, an area long burdened by the legacy of uncontained mining waste.