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

3.13.1.4 Surface water users
There are several small towns and villages scattered throughout the sub-catchment. The Provincial capital,
Mumbwa, is located north of the Kafue River, whilst the smaller towns of Chilanga and Kafue are located near to
the downstream end of this sub-catchment. Considerable quantities of water are used for sugar cane irrigation
as well as for livestock rearing.
3.13.1.5 Water management systems
This area falls under the management of the Zambian Department of Water Affairs.
3.13.1.6 Human impacts on water resources (excluding mining)
The following could be expected to have an impact on water resources:
• Disposal of domestic and solid waste from small towns and communities;
• Salinized return flows from extensive irrigation schemes;
• Discharge and seepage of water from livestock farms; and
• Minor non-point impact from sparse, subsistence agriculture throughout the sub-catchment.
3.13.2 Mining and mineral processing operations
A variety of small to medium mining operations are located in this sub-catchment (Table 3.12; Figure 3.4).
Several areas are also under prospecting licence for gemstones, copper, nickel and gold.
Table 3.12: Mining operations in the Lower Kafue sub-catchment.
Code
Number
Name of Mine
Commodity (ies)
Mined
cxxi
Status
Relative
Size
Probable
Impact
Z-25 Chilanga Limestone Operating Large Low-Medium
Z-26 Nampundwe Iron Pyrites, Copper Operating Medium Medium