RESIDENTS living near a Chinese-controlled copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo are suing its operator for $6.3m over alleged pollution that harmed their health, Reuters reported.
The lawsuit, brought by 27 residents, including eight children, targets the COMMUS mine, controlled by China’s Zijin Mining, according to corporate watchdog RAID and Congolese nonprofit AFREWATCH.
The claimants are seeking $1.3m in compensation and $5m for environmental restoration.
The two organisations said scientific studies they commissioned found elevated levels of airborne particles and contaminated water near the mine.
COMMUS rejected the allegations, telling Reuters it would contest the claims and took its environmental and community responsibilities seriously.
The lawsuit, filed in the Commercial Court in Kolwezi, also names the Congolese government and environmental regulator ACE, accusing them of failing to adequately monitor the mine and enforce environmental regulations.
Neither the mines ministry nor ACE immediately responded to requests for comment.
Under Congo’s 2018 mining code, mining companies can be held liable for environmental damage unless they demonstrate that it resulted from factors unrelated to their operations.
RAID and AFREWATCH said a successful lawsuit could establish an important precedent for communities affected by pollution from industrial mining operations.
COMMUS is 67%-owned by Zijin Mining, while state miner Gecamines and the Congolese government hold minority interests.
The operation has annual production capacity exceeding 120,000 tons of copper and 2,000 tons of cobalt, according to the company.
Congo is a major global supplier of both metals.