The mining industry is one of the major contributors to air pollution in the Copperbelt. The most critical problems involve sulphur dioxide (SO2) and fine particulate matter emissions from smelters, and wind-blown dust (including fine particulate matter) from tailings dams.

SO2 Smelter Emissions
During the extraction of metals from sulphide ore concentrates, large amounts of SO2 are produced through the oxidation of sulphur during the smelting process. Ideally, all of the SO2 produced should be captured and used for the production of sulphuric acid. However, this is seldom the case and various amounts of SO2 are usually released into the atmosphere, either advertently (with the stack emissions) or inadvertently (fugitive emmission). Enhanced ambient SO2 concentrations can then directly affect the health of both humans and animals. Inhaling high concentrations of SO2 can aggravate respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of SO2 can also adversely affect lung function, depending on an individual’s sensitivity. High concentrations of SO2 have been measured is some Copperbelt mining areas close to smelters.

Mitigation Measures for SO2 emissions
Elevated SO2 concentrations can be mitigated by either (i) relocating the affected population; or (ii) decreasing the emission of SO2 from smelters. The first option, involving the relocation of tens of thousands of people is probably not economically feasible. There are several well-established technical possibilities associated with the second option including the following: the use of scrubbers and cyclones (for smaller installations), intallation of acid plants to covert the SO2 These techniques differ substantially in their efficiency. Various kinds of hoods, enclosures and housings may also be installed to capture fugitive emissions. The captured streams can subsequently be fed in to an emission control system (namely, scrubber or cyclone or acid plant). In addition, good operational practices to prevent or reduce fugitive losses can minimise emissions. Efficiencies and applicability vary considerably between different industries/processes and the choice of a particular technique must be based on a detailed evaluation of the prevailing local conditions.

Particulate Matter Emissions from Smelters
Particulate matter emissions refer to solid particles and liquid droplets that are small enough to remain suspended in the air and include a complex mixture of organic and inorganic substances. A number of previous studies have shown that dust emissions from smelters exceed Zambian permit limits. The current study is focused on particulate matter that is less than 10 mm in size, termed PM10, which has physiological impacts.

There are strong correlations between ambient PM levels and an increase in lower respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function in children, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reduced lung function in adults..

Mitigation Measures for particulate matter emissions
Similar mitigating measures to those proposed for SO2 smelter emissions can be employed.

Wind-blown dust (including fine particulate matter) from tailings dams
Tailings dams are barriers constructed to enable the storage of tailings, i.e., concentrator waste products. Virtually all heavy mining activities produce tailings and it therefore is not surprising that there are a large number of big tailings dams all over the Copperbelt. The dust from drying tailings dams poses a threat to good air quality as this dust can be dispersed by the wind over large areas contaminating both the land and humans.

Mitigation Measures for dust from tailings dams
Possible mitigation measures include revegetation by planting trees and grass to minimise the problem of dust. Some efforts have been done to revegetate dumps to minimise dust. 

General air quality mitigation measures
It should be noted that that besides the mining industry, there are  other sources of air pollution in the Copperbelt , from non mining industries, motor vehicles and  the burning of bush and firewood. As such, any strategy to improve air quality in the Copperbelt must also tackle those sources. Two possibilities are: policy and legislative measures to encourage the use of cleaner fuels in motor vehicles, and a campaign to educate the public on the adverse environmental consequences of indiscriminate fires and burning activities as well as finding alternative energy sources.