In northern Zambia earlier this year, 29-year-old Norbert Amoya discovered dead fish and foul-smelling river water, a result of a major mining disaster. On February 18, a dam at a Chinese copper mine burst, releasing toxic waste into a tributary of Zambia’s largest river. The disaster has threatened the local ecosystem, jeopardized livelihoods for millions, and exposed communities to serious health risks, including cancer. Such incidents highlight the urgent need for preventative measures in mining operations.
This week, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) is convening to discuss global measures to prevent similar environmental catastrophes. Colombia has taken a leading role by proposing a global treaty to address mining-related environmental risks, emphasizing due diligence and traceability in mineral supply chains. Other countries, including Armenia, Ecuador, Oman, and Zambia, support the initiative, which calls for the “environmentally sound management of minerals and metals.”
The proposal includes establishing a UN working group to explore binding and non-binding measures, a strategy that has previously led to successful treaty processes. Civil society groups, such as Human Rights Watch, have welcomed the initiative, especially as environmental protections in the US and EU supply chains law are being weakened.
However, the initiative faces opposition, with countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia resisting binding measures. Human Rights Watch and other organizations stress that voluntary corporate measures alone are insufficient to safeguard human rights and the environment. In Zambia, while the Chinese mining company provided limited compensation, it reportedly suppressed a study detailing the disaster’s full impact.
With global demand for minerals rising due to energy transition, defense, and technology needs, governments must act to protect both the environment and human rights. Support for Colombia’s proposed binding minerals treaty at this week’s UNEA is a critical step toward ensuring responsible and safe global mineral supply chains.
