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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
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A number of programmes have been implemented
to strengthen environmental management
in Zambia. These include the Copperbelt
Environment Project, Environment Support Fund,
Environment and Natural Resources Management
Following the privatization of the majority of the
copper mines on the Copperbelt, the Government
of the Republic of Zambia inherited some of
the mine’s liabilities that the new mine owners
were not willing to take. In order to address
these environmental liabilities, the Copperbelt
Environment Project (CEP) was launched. The
project was supported by the World Bank, the
Nordic Development Fund and the Internal
Development Association.
The project comprised two components: the
establishment of the Environmental Management
Facility (EMF) and the strengthening of the
environmental regulatory framework.
The EMF was established to finance the costs
of priority environmental and social mitigation
measures required as a result of Zambia Consolidated
Copper Mines’ (ZCCM) past operations, as well as
ongoing activities on properties that remained with
ZCCM-Investment Holdings. This was in addition to
funding mitigation measures agreed upon with the
investors who bought the ZCCM mining assets.
The Environmental Regulatory Framework was
designed to strengthen the institutional framework
that requires the Mine Safety Department (MSD),
ZEMA and ZCCM to monitor the Environmental
Management Plans agreed upon by the various
private investors as well as by ZCCM. The framework
also assisted in building capacity within national
institutions to monitor the implementation of the
environmental mitigation commitments made by
the investors and ZCCM.
SOME PROGRAMMES IMPLEMENTED IN
THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR
Copperbelt Environment Project
The CEP offered an opportunity for a concerted
and more holistic approach to addressing
historical environmental problems, particularly the
environmental liabilities that arose as a result of
mining sector reform. During the implementation of
the project, the environmental regulatory framework
was reviewed and environmental management plans
were prepared by individual mining units. Other
achievements of the project include:
• Establishment of a monitoring system
for the implementation of environmental
management plans and their compliance with
environmental regulations;
• Regular monitoring of pollution flows and
loads resulting from mining operations;
• Improvement of the MSD and ZEMA’s capacity
to enforce regulations and performance;
• Enhancement of civil society capacity
for active participation in environmental
management;
• Enhanced co-ordination and partnership
among authorising agencies and
collaborating institutions so that they
effectively participate in the regulatory
framework; and,
• Increased environmental awareness and
public participation (ECZ, 2009).
and Mainstreaming Programme, Lake Tanganyika
Integrated Management Programme, Integrated
Land Use and Assessment, and Millennium
Development Goals.