On 18 February 2025, a catastrophic tailings dam collapse at the Sino-Metals Chambishi Mine, in Zambia saw 50 million litres of acidic effluent flood the surrounding area and into the Mwambashi River.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their ...

This is the dark underbelly of South African mining – the dubious re-mining of tailings dams in an ecologically destructive way that feeds the laundromat of illicit gold. Daily Maverick’s queries on ...

Artisanal mining often occurs close to an operating mine, even to access the same deposit. In many parts of Africa, illegal artisanal miners mine tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and rock dumps, ...