17 herds of cattle have died after drinking from contaminated water sources near Bubanii Resources Limited and Ozone mines in Mumbwa district.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe says 14 herds of cattle died after consuming water contaminated with Cyanide following a spillage near Bubanji mine.

Dr Mwanakampwe  told ZANIS in Kabwe that animals are reported to have consumed the water from a free natural grazing area.

He stated that three herds of cattle are reported to have died under similar circumstances where a tailings dam is said to have burst at Ozone mine.

The Permanent Secretary said that the bursting of the dam led to release of effluent into nearby cattle drinking ponds killing three.

He stated that the natural water bodies have not been impacted by the development stating that the spilled tailings have been neutralized to prevent further harm to the environment.

And Dr Mwanakampwe says government is working in a multi-sectoral manner to contain pollution of water in the Kafue River which may affect wildlife in the Kafue National Park if not curtailed.

Dr Mwanakampwe said that government is monitoring the situation and that people in Kashiya area in chief Mwinuna’s chiefdom in Ngabwe district have been sensitized against consuming water from the Kafue River which is locally referred Luwishi River.

He stated that the farmers have stopped their animals from consuming water from the Kafue River until the situation is normalized.

Meanwhile, Mumbwa District Commissioner Namukolo Hayumbu disclosed that liming of the water in the district started yesterday and the experts are monitoring the situation on the ground.