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

3.12.1.2 Geology
This sub-catchment is underlain predominantly by copper-rich sandstones, quartzites, arenites and
conglomerates of the Copperbelt region. The region hosts substantial deposits of copper and cobalt, and has
several emerald-bearing pegmatites. Large deposits of high-grade limestone are found at Ndola, the site of a
very large cement works. Very large numbers of pegmatite deposits and intrusions of Greenstone formations in
the eastern portion of this sub-catchment hold good prospects for gemstones and gold. Zinc and lead are found
in the south near the well-known Broken Hill deposit at the town of Kabwe.
3.12.1.3 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 Copperbelt towns of Ndola, Kitwe, Luanshya, Mufulira, Chingola, Chililabombwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi
in search of work or to join their families. Each of the Copperbelt towns now has enormous numbers of informal
settlements around its periphery, accompanied by extensive areas of subsistence agriculture. Large-scale devegetation
takes place as people use the Miombo (Brachystegia) woodlands for fuelwood. These peripheral
impacts can be considered as both “indirect” and “cumulative” impacts linked to mining operations. A Landsat
TM image (Figure 3.15) provides an overview of the extent of the impacted area associated with the different
Copperbelt mining towns.
3.12.1.4 Surface water users
All of the towns use substantial quantities of water for domestic and industrial purposes and the mining
operations also use considerable volumes of water. The numerous small “informal” settlements and
communities around the periphery of the Copperbelt towns rely on shallow hand-dug wells in nearby dambos, or
draw water directly from nearby rivers and streams.
3.12.1.5 Water management systems
This area falls under the management of the Zambian Department of Water Affairs, Copperbelt office.
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