Health Alert: U.S orders immediate withdrawal of its Citizens from Kitwe
US Ambassador to Zambia
The United States government has with immediate effect ordered its Embassy in Zambia to withdraw its Citizens in Kitwe and nearby areas due to health concerns resulting from the Sino Metals mine tailings dam spill.
According to a Health Alert this morning seen by Zambian Eye, the withdraw of Citizens is with immediate effect.
The US has also ordered its Citizens against traveling to Kitwe and nearby areas.:
Health Alert for U.S. Citizens in Zambia: The U.S. government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. government personnel from Kitwe and nearby areas affected by the Sino Metals mine tailings dam spill.
Newly available information reveals the extent of hazardous and carcinogenic substances – including arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other heavy metals – as well as the immediate and long-term health threats that exposure to these contaminants pose as long as they remain in the environment. Beyond contaminated water and soil, contaminants from the spilled mine tailings may also become airborne, posing a health threat if inhaled.
As a result, U.S. personnel have been removed from Chambishi town, all areas along the Chambishi Stream and Mwambashi River to the Mwambashi-Kafue confluence point, and Kitwe town, and U.S. personnel are ordered to avoid any travel to Kitwe Town that renders them dependent on drinking, or eating food cooked with, municipally available water.
The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the vicinity of the Sino Metals Leach Mine in Chambishi and downstream areas to Kitwe to take precautions against exposure to, and consumption of, heavy metal contaminated water or foods cooked with it.
For additional information, see our message from June 12, 2025.
Actions to Take:
Speak with your medical care provider if you are concerned you may have symptoms. If needed, refer to our list of local medical providers.
Because severe health effects from exposure or ingestion of lower levels of these toxic heavy metals may only emerge after prolonged exposure, speak to your medical care provider about risks and how to protect yourself.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
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Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Lusaka
Phone: +(260) 211-357-000 +(260) 966-050-123 +(260) 761-107-000 Email: [email protected]
State Department – Consular Affairs +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 Zambia Country Information
State Department – Consular Affairs +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Zambia Country Travel Information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
Follow us on X and Facebook