Justice for Kabwe mining community
After their town was turned into a UN-designated ‘sacrifice zone’ by decades of mining, 140,000 women and children in Kabwe, Zambia, are seeking justice against one of the world’s largest mining companies for lead contamination.
We are standing with the community of Kabwe and calling for Anglo-American shareholders to recognise the applicants’ right to justice.
Kabwe is often described as one of the world’s most polluted towns, with soil lead levels 650% above the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) regulatory hazard standard. Meaning Kabwe is severely contaminated and far exceeds the standard residential safety recommendations. These widespread, dangerous levels of pollution caused by historic mining activities are a legacy of colonialism, affecting the health of the community for generations.
Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), Corporate Justice Coalition (CJC), London Mining Network (LMN) and Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID) have come together to bring this case to the attention of the public and Anglo-American shareholders.
By donating, your support will help bring global attention to this crisis and apply pressure where it’s needed most.
Background
Lead is a toxic metal with no safe level of exposure and no biological role in the human body. Lead exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and lasting harm to unborn children. In young children, even the smallest amounts can impair brain development, lower IQ and trigger lifelong behavioural and cognitive disorders. The cumulative impact threatens not just individual lives, but the health, stability and future of the entire community.
Formerly known as the Broken Hill Mine, Kabwe was part of the Anglo American Group for almost 50 years from 1925 to 1974.
The scale of lead contamination in Kabwe is devastating. Evidence shows that Anglo American was aware of widespread lead poisoning of local children and the environment. At the same time, it was involved in managing and providing technical advice on the Mine’s medical and environmental operations. This situation would not have been allowed to endure in the Global North. In 2021, there were still about five million tons of mine tailings on the site.
An application to certify a class action against Anglo American South Africa Limited (‘AASA’) was filed in the High Court of South Africa in October 2020 on behalf of an estimated 140,000 women and children. They are claiming compensation for their injuries, the costs of monitoring their Blood Lead Levels (BLLs), and the costs of environmental cleanup. The application was refused in December 2023. However, permission to appeal was granted, and the Supreme Court of Appeal is due to hear the case on 3-4 November 2025. Several human rights organisations have filed amicus briefs and will present oral arguments at the appeal in support of the community. These include several United Nations agencies.
Learn More
Our resources page will give you the latest news on our Kabwe campaign, and more information about the class action can be found at Children of Kabwe.
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