The Copperbelt Environment Project is a Government of the Republic of Zambia programme, with proceeds from the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund. is The will address environmental liabilities associated with the mining sector that accumulated during more than 80 years of mining.

In 1995, as attention began to focus on the privatisation of ZCCM, one issue that came to the fore was the question of what to do about the environmental degradation that this long period of mining had caused, whose responsibility it was, and how would controls be applied in the future.  As privatisation progressed, the Zambian Government (GRZ), through ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH), retained responsibility for a wide range of environmental concerns, which were not passed on to the new mine investors.

Thus the concept of an Environment Project for the Copperbelt came about, and the Zambian Government sought financial assistance for the project from the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund.
The Copperbelt Environment Project (CEP) will assist Government and ZCCM-IH implement a set of mitigation measures to help alleviate environmental and social liabilities that resulted from the ZCCM privatisation process and the closure of the Kabwe Mine, and improve the future compliance of the mining sector with environmental and social regulations.  The principal objectives of the CEP are:

To protect public health and safety;

To reduce or prevent environmental degradation; and,

w a productive utilisation of land either for its pre-mining use or, where applicable, for an acceptable alternative use.

Among the main environmental issues to be addressed under the CEP are the stability of various overburden, waste rock, tailings and slag dumps which have changed the Copperbelt landscape and occupy approximately 10,000 hectares of land; soil contamination, and water pollution.

The CEP will also address the socio-economic impacts arising from the privatisation of ZCCM.  This will include promotion of public health and safety through community awareness and education on environmental issues.

The CEP has two components:
Component 1 focuses on the establishment of the Environmental Management Facility (EMF) to finance the implementation of priority environmental and social measures required of GRZ and ZCCM-IH according to the Consolidated Environmental Management Plan (CEMPII)– see feature on CEMP II in this issue –Once approved by the  Environmental Council of Zambia (ECZ), the CEMP II will provide guidelines for environmental management on the copperbelt into the long-term future.

The Environmental Management Facility (EMF)
The Environmental Management Facility (EMF) under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning comprises the Steering Committee and the Secretariat. Chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury, the Steering Committee comprises government ministries, the ECZ and ZCCM-IH, representatives from each of the Mine workers Union, Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chamber of Mines, the two Universities and selected NGOs.

The EMF Steering Committee meets quarterly to review, screen for priority, rank and approve sub-projects to be funded by the EMF. Priority will be given to those measures that improve public safety, health and the environment.

The Steering Committee is also tasked to ensure that activities under Component 1 are consistent with the EMF objectives and policies approved by Government and ZCCM-IH and the donors.

During the implementation of the Project, key stakeholders including Local Authorities, affected communities and new mine investors will be consulted and closely involved.

Since inception, the EMF has received a financial commitment of US$40 million from the World Bank and 10 million Euros from the Nordic Development Fund, while the Government of Zambia has committed US$4.5 million. 

The Role of ZECU
As part of the privatisation agreements, ZCCM-IH through its Environmental Coordination Unit (ZECU) will implement remediation measures to address the environmental liabilities that are the responsibility of ZCCM-IH and Government. The sub projects will be approved by the EMF Steering Committee. This will involve the receiving and screening of sub-project proposals, development of detailed sub-project proposals, procurement and sub-project monitoring and evaluation.

ZCCM-IH Environmental Co-ordination Unit (ZECU) based in Kitwe at Investments House, with an office in Kabwe. 

Component 2 will strengthen the regulatory framework and build capacity in the ECZ, Mine Safety Department and other delegated Agencies.  These measures are intended to enable the ECZ and the MSD to carry out their control and enforcement duties more effectively.

PROJECT BENEFITS
The ultimate goal of the CEP is to improve and promote sustainable environmental management in the mining sector through strengthened regulatory and institutional frameworks.  Improved compliance of the mining sector with environmental regulations and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) will result in improved public health and ecosystem functions by the control of pollution, exposure and risk of accidents.  The CEP will also indirectly promote national economic growth as the removal of potential impediments to new investment will attract more investment in the mining industry.

Examples of the positive effects on new investments resulting from removal of impediments in form of liabilities are the US$160 million investment in Kasanshi Mine and the Konkola Deep operations where the CEP funded the environmental rehabilitation and resettlement respectively.

CHALLENGES AHEAD
The tasks ahead of ZECU include taking the cost effective and sustainable measures to:

ensure dam and dump stability; and to,

Counter the low level of awareness and foster public appreciation and effective participation in environmental protection and management.

Major challenges include how to enhance stakeholders’ participation; integrate poverty alleviation without raising undue expectations; and sustain environmental enforcement in the sector given the magnitude of the environmental mortgage.