1. What is CEP?
The word CEP stands for the Copperbelt Environment Project. The CEP is a government project that is aimed at addressing the environmental problems that have resulted from the more than 80 years of mining on the Copperbelt and Kabwe.

The projects main tasks are:
• To protect public health and safety
• To reduce or prevent damage to the environment
• To restore mine land and where possible make it available for productive use
• To promote better environmental practices in the mining sector.

2. Who is paying for the project and how will the money be used?
The Zambian government is paying for the project with support from the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund.

3. How is the CEP being managed?
The Ministry of Finance is responsible for funding the Project through the Environmental Management Facility to ZCCM-Investments Holdings limited, ZCCM Investments Holdings, through its Environmental Coordination Unit-ZECU is responsible for implementation of the remediation works under Component 1.

4. The CEP has two components:
Component1: will assist government develop a detailed management plan called the Consolidated Environmental Management Plan (CEMP2). This plan will identify the issues or problems to be addressed on the Copper belt for the next 25 years.

Component2: will be managed by the Environmental Council of Zambia and its purpose is to assist in improving the environmental laws and their implementation.

5a. What are the main environmental related problems on the Copperbelt and in Kabwe?

A. Air pollution
Air pollution from the Mufulira and Kitwe smelters is one of the environmental problems on the Copperbelt. Sulphur dioxide, popularly known as Senta, may affect the health of the elderly and those with chest illnesses such as asthma. When Sulphur dioxide falls on the ground, it pollutes the soil and makes it difficult for vegetation to grow.          ^Top^

5b. Can sulphur dioxide be reduced?

Yes, it is possible to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide being released into the air by putting up acid plants that will capture the sulphur dioxide and turn it into acid. The new Mine Investors, Mopani Copper Mines and Konkola Copper Mines are committed to reducing the effects of sulpher dioxide on the environment. For example, Mopani is putting up an Acid Plant in Mufulira. Putting up an acid plant is very expensive and takes time to complete.

B. Mine waste dumps
These are areas where mine waste material is dumped. Mine waste dumps look like hills made out of fine soil, black slag or rocks.

Mine waste dumps have taken up a lot of land and changed the landscape on the Copperbelt. Waste dumps contain heavy metals, which when consumed may affect human health. Rain water from these dumps can also contaminate the water sources such as rivers and streams.

The dumps can be source of dust, especially in the dry season. Dust can be a nuisance to the community and is a source of heavy metals soil pollution.

C. Water pollution
Water pollution is another main concern on the Copperbelt. Water that is polluted with heavy metals and sediments reduces the quality of water and also makes it costly to treat the water for human consumption.

The sediments, from the mine dumps and mine plant areas drain to the streams and rivers and settles on the bottom of the stream or river bed. This reduces the water flow to other communities downstream and depletes the fish and other living things in the stream and rivers.          ^Top^

D. Socio economic issues
The privatization of ZCCM has generally affected the lives of the people on the Copperbelt and in Kabwe. As a result there is an increase in unemployment and general reduction in living standards. Some of the main socio economic issues are deforestation, illegal quarrying of waste rock from dumps, cultivation in restricted areas such as on tailings dumps or the toe of the dump and caving areas, vandalism and theft of mine infrastructure such as warning signs and structures meant to drain water from the dumps and keep the dumps stable, and children playing on dumps.

All these activities put the safety and health of the people at risk and also contribute to the damage to the environment.

6. Why is Kabwe part of the CEP?
Kabwe has been included in the CEP because the Kabwe Mine was part of the privatized ZCCM and most importantly, the lead and mine zinc has resulted in lead pollution in the environment. Lead negatively affects the health of humans, especially children below six. A detailed study, called the Kabwe Scoping and Design Study, to find out the extent and level of pollution is being done and once complete, ZCCM-IH will work with the community of Kabwe to reduce the effects of lead pollution.          ^Top^

7. What is the CEP doing to mitigate the impact of lead pollution in Kabwe
The CEP is implementing an intensive lead remediation project which includes the engineering works as well as a comprehensive Risk Communication and other related social development programmes. Due to the complexity of the matter, a detailed Kabwe Scoping and Design Study has been undertaken to assist determine the level and extent of the problem and define mitigation measures. The study once completed will be disclosed to the public .