A toxic tailings dam at the Chinese-owned Sino Metals copper mine in northern Zambia collapsed in February, releasing at least 50,000 tonnes of acidic waste—possibly far more—into waterways feeding the Kafue River. The spill contaminated drinking water, killed fish, and damaged farmland across the Copperbelt, leaving families without food and exposing them to heavy metals linked to long-term health risks. Farmers report failed crops, illness, and inadequate remediation. China disputes the scale of the disaster, saying acidity levels have stabilised, while Zambia insists it is not soft-pedalling despite owing China about $5bn. A $80bn lawsuit filed by 176 farmers is now seen as a major test of whether African states can hold Chinese companies accountable. Compensation so far has been uneven, and cleanup efforts are slow. With US interest in Zambia rising, analysts say the geopolitical balance may give Zambia more leverage, but unresolved pollution threatens communities for years.