Water Quality Crisis: What’s Next for the Sabeto River?

The Ministry of Lands and Mineral Resources, in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, has urgently addressed a wastewater discharge incident into the Sabeto River that occurred on May 22. Both agencies have confirmed that preliminary tests indicate the water quality in the upper stretches of the river has returned to safe levels for normal use. However, they have advised against consuming treated water from the river, pointing out the potential risks associated with livestock activity along its banks.

The discharge was traced back to a settlement pond, which has since been suspended by the Mineral Resources Department. This suspension will remain effective until Lion One Metals, the responsible operator, demonstrates full compliance with relevant environmental regulations. Any future wastewater discharges will be stringently controlled under the Ministry’s Liquid Waste Discharge Permit conditions.

In response to the incident, a joint investigation is underway, involving water sampling, a review of the operational systems, and interviews with the staff. Additionally, the two ministries plan to conduct a series of environmental audits over the next six months, aimed at enforcing better practices and ensuring long-term compliance from Lion One Metals.

Lion One Metals has accepted responsibility for the incident and is taking steps to rectify the situation. They are committed to enhancing transparency and community engagement, in light of past incidents that have sparked local outrage due to environmental concerns surrounding their mining activities.

This unfortunate event has also ignited discussions about environmental responsibility and the importance of community involvement in managing local resources. There is hope that this situation will promote stronger regulations and foster collaboration between Lion One Metals and the local community, thus emphasizing a commitment to environmental stewardship and ensuring the health of the Sabeto River for future generations.

The proactive measures taken by government agencies and Lion One Metals demonstrate a promising pathway forward, with a focus on better communication with local residents and more robust environmental practices aimed at protecting both public health and the local ecosystem.