The US government has imposed travel restrictions and reassigned personnel in parts of Zambia’s Copperbelt Province following a toxic spill from the Sino Metals Leach Mine, the US Embassy in Lusaka announced on August 6.

The health alert applies to Chambishi town, all areas along the Chambishi Stream and Mwambashi River extending to the Mwambashi-Kafue confluence, and Kitwe town. The embassy cited contamination of water, soil, and potentially air with toxic heavy metals from the mine’s tailings dam as the reason for the precautionary measures.

The US government has prohibited any official travel to Kitwe that would require the use of municipally available water for drinking or food preparation. Embassy officials warned that exposure could occur not only through ingestion of contaminated water or food, but also through inhalation of airborne particles.

“The United States government has reassigned personnel from affected areas and imposed restrictions in response to the health threats posed by the toxic spill,” the embassy stated.

The spill originated at the Sino Metals Leach Mine in Chambishi, with contaminants carried downstream to surrounding communities. The health alert reiterated previous concerns first raised in a June 12 message, urging US citizens in the region to avoid exposure to water and soil in the affected zones and to consult medical providers if they suspect symptoms of heavy metal exposure.

“Severe health effects from exposure or ingestion of lower levels of these toxic heavy metals may only emerge after prolonged exposure,” the embassy noted.

No information has yet been released by Zambian authorities or Sino Metals regarding containment or cleanup efforts.

US citizens in the region have been advised to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme and to follow embassy communications on official social media channels.