Along rivers and farmland in Zambia's Copperbelt, communities are living with the environmental and social consequences of renewed mining activity.  Global demand for copper used in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies  has seen business surge in Zambian mining towns like Kitwe, Luanshya, Mufulira and Chingola.  Concerns over pollution and environmental oversight  intensified after an acid spill  in February 2025 at the  Chinese -owned Sino-Metals Leach Zambia operation