BY INNOCENT KIIZA
Experts from the ministry of water and Environment have warned people against using waters of River Nyamwamba over the copper tailing that are eroded into the river waters.
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Tons of copper tailings (remains) that were piled by Kilembe Mines before it was closed in Kasese district are wasting away as they are being eroded by River Nyamwamba.
Eng. Steven Ogwete for the Ministry of Water and Environment said that water running through the mine tailings can be polluted as a result of chemicals that dissolve in water such as Sulphuric acid and dissolved iron which are harmful to crops, animals and human beings.
He added that acid runoff further dissolves heavy metal such as copper, lead, mercury into ground or surface water which are harmful to human and animals
Eng. Ogwete noted that copper mining wastes make up largest percentage of metal mining and processing wastes generating in River Nyamwamba, if pyrites and sulphide are exposed to air and water they form sulphuric acid that will mobilize many metals including uranium, which is a highly soluble in acid.
The experts caution came after reports from residents in Base camp village complaining about the death of their livestock after using the waters of River Nyamwamba.
Central Division health Inspector Habibu Mubibu said he has been receiving calls , people complaining about the death of their animals consuming water containing suspected toxins that threaten human and animal life.
Mubibu confirmed to the media that reports from Nyamwamba water samples tests done in the fort portal indicated that stream water contains a lot of copper, zinc, sulphur and cobalt which are believed to be caused by animals in the areas neighboring river catchment areas.
The affected animals according to reports develop gut perforation among other complications within their bellies before dying.
Mr. Alex Kwatampora, a Geologist attributed the death of the animals to the copper trailing that are eroded into the waters of River Nyamwamba which contains copper sulphate, chloride, a substance which is toxic to human and animal lives.
“There are more than 13 elements including cobalt, copper sulphate, copper chloride, and copper oxide among others which are in the remains of copper that are being washed by waters of River Nyamwamba”. Kwatampora said.
He added that allowing the remains to continue being eroded by the river does not only put the lives of people at a great health risk but it might also deny Uganda a lot of money.
However, the remains have continued being eroded whenever the river floods. Now, the leaders say that the minerals have heavy metals which have an accumulation effect in the food chain of the aquatic flora and fauna.
River Nyamwamba empties directly into Lake George that connects to Lake Edward through the Kazinga Channel. Lake Edward connects to River Semuliki which empties into Lake Albert.
The Kasese District Chairperson, Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi told press that they are worried that the apiculture that is in the lake is going to be affected.
Richard Bomera, the L.C III Chairperson for Bulembia Division where the copper deposits are located says the continued loss of such substances affects the employment opportunities of Many Ugandans who would be employed when the government revamps the mine.
The Area Chair Base camp lower Kigutiya Jafari stressed that most cattle keepers and farmers are disappointed over the continued death of their animals and urged government to speedup water connectivity in the area to save people lives
