Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Lusaka, Zambia, August 6, 2025
Location: Chambishi, Mwambashi, and Kitwe areas in Copperbelt Province
Event: Due to the health threats posed from the widespread contamination of water and soil by toxic heavy metals stemming from the Sino Metals Leach Mine dam spill, the United States government has reassigned personnel from and imposed travel restrictions on U.S. government personnel in Chambishi town, all areas along the Chambishi Stream and Mwambashi River to the Mwambashi-Kafue confluence point, and Kitwe town.
The U.S. government has further ordered U.S. personnel to avoid any travel to Kitwe Town that renders them dependent on drinking, or eating food cooked with, municipally available water.
Beyond contaminated water and soil, contaminants from the spilled mines tailings may also become airborne, posing a health threat if inhaled. The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the vicinity of the Sino Metals Leach Mine in Chambishi and downstream areas to Kitwe to take precautions against exposure to, and consumption of, heavy metal contaminated water or foods cooked with it.
For additional information, see our message from June 12, 2025.
Actions to Take:
- Speak with your medical care provider if you are concerned you may have symptoms. If needed, refer to our list of local medical providers.
- Because severe health effects from exposure or ingestion of lower levels of these toxic heavy metals may only emerge after prolonged exposure, speak to your medical care provider about risks and how to protect yourself.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
- Follow us on X and Facebook.
Assistance
- U.S. Embassy Lusaka
- Phone: +(260) 211-357-000 +(260) 966-050-123 +(260) 761-107-000 Email: ACSLusaka@state.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 Zambia Country Information
- State Department – Consular Affairs +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
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- Zambia Country Travel Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
- Follow us on X and Facebook.
