Collapse of Tailing Dam at Chenzhou Lead-Zinc Mine Contaminates River

SHANGHAI, Apr. 26 (SMM) -- The tailing dam at the Huangni'ao Lead-Zinc Mine, located in the Suxian District of Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, collapsed suddenly on April 15th as a result of recent heavy rains, causing thousands of cubic meters of tailings to spill out and bury the mine's dormitory.  No casualties were reported, but downstream rivers have been seriously contaminated.

Sources from the Suxian District Government report the tailing dam was defective, and the  mine had received three notices in February and March of this year from the Suxian District Safety Supervision Bureau and Suxian District Environmental Protection Bureau to suspend production in order to conduct maintenance.  At present, the Suxian District Government, Suxian District Safety Supervision Bureau, Suxian District Environmental Protection Bureau, and other related departments are conducting an investigation, while the mine owners say they will compensate villagers for damages.  Other local lead-zinc mine operators will now undergo environmental protection inspections as a result of the disaster, but any negative impact on zinc ore supply in Hunan province will be limited.

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