It's been one year since a toxic spill from Congo Dongfang International Mining SAS (CDM) affected the neighborhoods of Kasapa, Kamatete, and Kamisepe in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. On November 4, 2025, over 2,500,000 cubic meters of toxic wastewater, heavily contaminated with heavy metals, were released into densely populated areas. The spill led to widespread damage to the environment and health of local residents.
Local communities, joined by five civil society organizations, gathered on November 4, 2026, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the disaster and assess the response of authorities and CDM. The organizations, including Meda Mapendo, Horizon Kasapa, VADDIPER, Action pour la Justice et les Droits Humains (AJD), and Institut de recherche en droits humains (IRDH), released a joint statement criticizing the lack of progress in implementing remedial measures prescribed by the Congolese government.
Following an investigation by an inter-ministerial commission, which confirmed the damage caused to residents and the environment, Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba issued a decision on January 17, 2026, requiring CDM to take specific remedial actions before resuming operations. These actions included a collective compensation payment of $6 million, which remains unpaid, and a written commitment from CDM to provide medical care for affected individuals for at least five years.
The NGOs also demanded the establishment of a medium- and long-term health monitoring system for residents exposed to the contaminated water, as well as the drilling of at least 15 wells for potable water. Additionally, they called for the diversion of REGIDESO water pipes, rehabilitation of the road connecting CDM to Kasapa, and the creation of a structured and accessible complaint management mechanism.
During the commemoration, residents of the affected neighborhoods shared their experiences, describing the surprise and distress caused by the sudden release of toxic water from CDM's retention basin. They reported damage to their homes, markets, and fields, and expressed frustration with the lack of concrete actions taken by authorities and CDM.
The NGOs directly implicated Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba in the inadequate response to the disaster, accusing him of "environmental complacency." They urged the National Assembly to hold him accountable for his management of the situation and the implementation of remedial measures. The organizations also requested that the government release the full report of the inter-ministerial commission, including the results of ecotoxicological analyses.
The commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the toxic spill served as a reminder of the significant harm suffered by communities in Kasapa, Kamatete, and Kamisepe, and highlighted the need for concrete actions to address their concerns. The NGOs reiterated their demands for CDM to fully implement the remedial measures prescribed by the government and for the government to take responsibility for its role in the disaster.
Key points
- The Congolese government and CDM have failed to implement key remedial measures, including a $6 million collective compensation payment and a commitment to provide medical care for affected individuals.
- NGOs are calling for Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba to be held accountable for his management of the disaster and the implementation of remedial measures.
- The toxic spill has had a lasting impact on the environment and health of local residents, with communities still awaiting concrete actions to address their concerns.
