OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF MINING ON THE ... - IIED pubs

3.11.1.1 Hydrology
The Lunga River is the most important tributary of the Kafue River and drains the central portion of the
watershed between Northern Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Figure 3.4). Flows are seasonal
though there is no information as to the size of the flows.
3.11.1.2 Geology
This sub-catchment is underlain predominantly by copper-rich sandstones, quartzites, arenites and
conglomerates of the Copperbelt region.
3.11.1.3 Pedology, agriculture and land use
The soils consist almost entirely of deep, well-leached ferralitic soils. Subsistence agriculture occurs on the
richer soils located on floodplain levees along the riverbanks. Considerable numbers of people have flocked to
the town of Solwezi near the headwaters of this river, attracted by the increase in mining activity. Large areas of
Miombo woodland have been cleared for the layout of mining infrastructure and housing, as well as for the
provision of fuelwood. Large areas of subsistence agriculture occur around Solwezi.
3.11.1.4 Surface water users
The major settlement is the town of Solwezi, though there are several small villages scattered throughout the
sub-catchment. Prospecting teams in the sub-catchment uses small volumes of water.
3.11.1.5 Water management systems
This area falls under the management of the Zambian Department of Water Affairs, Copperbelt office.
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