Leveraging technologies and Expertise to reduce environmental impacts associated with mine development

Leveraging technologies and Expertise to reduce environmental impacts associated with mine development

Zambia – Copperbelt Province

Zambia is a globally significant resource-producing country, and the Copperbelt region is rich in mineral resources essential to Japan’s advanced industries, including copper, nickel, and cobalt. Amid rising global demand, many foreign mining companies—from China, Canada, the United States, and elsewhere—are advancing development in the country. The Government of Zambia has set a target to increase copper production from approximately 800,000 tons at present to 3 million tons by 2031.

At the same time, environmental pollution associated with mining development has been reported. For example, lead contamination, primarily originating from mine waste (the “Black Mountain” dump), has resulted in elevated blood lead levels among residents in surrounding areas, with health risks noted particularly for pregnant women, infants, and children. In February 2025, a tailings dam failure occurred in Copperbelt Province, releasing large volumes of contaminated water into downstream rivers, farmland, and residential areas. This led to confirmed contamination of drinking water sources, soil, and rivers, as well as ecological impacts such as mass fish deaths. We consider these incidents to be the result of multiple structural challenges: low awareness of environmental considerations and legal compliance within mining companies; shortages of environmental mitigation technologies and environmental management capacity; and inadequacies in regulatory systems and enforcement by government agencies.

In regions such as the Copperbelt where mining development is advancing, we envisage partnering with companies and research institutions capable of addressing the above challenges. Specifically:

• Proof-of-Concept(PoC) for assessing environmental contamination status and risks
• PoC for reuse of tailings and mine waste
• PoC for safe management of tailings dams and dust suppression
• PoC for environmental restoration after mine closure
• PoC for mine wastewater treatment

Below are illustrative ideas; we welcome a wide range of proposals to reduce the environmental impacts associated with mining development.

• Acquire environmental data in areas surrounding mining operations (surface water, groundwater, dust/particulate matter, air quality) and visualize development trends and environmental risks in real time. (Drones, sensors, monitoring systems)
• Recover metal resources from tailings and mine waste and advance pathways to carbon neutrality. (Microbial processing technologies/bioleaching, CO2 fixation/mineralization technologies)
• Wastewater treatment with low environmental burden (e.g., low-chemical, energy-efficient processes)

• Introduction to related projects and stakeholders—including KIZUNA program alumni (returnees), relevant ministries, and private organizations—sharing of on-the-ground conditions, sharing of knowledge on mineral resources, and dissemination of findings from ongoing studies and SATREPS outcomes.

• Establishment of sustainable mineral development through strengthening monitoring systems for heavy metal contamination and building human capacity.
• Baseline information verification study on sustainable mining development in Zambia (joint research by Hokkaido University and the University of Zambia [UNZA]); the following activities are planned:
  • Experiments to recover rare metals such as gallium, germanium, and indium from lead/zinc smelting slag in the Kabwe area.
  • Assessments based on data collection for each mine on production volumes and tailings dam scale, capacity, and leakage risk.

Fukuoka（recorded）・Tokyo（recorded）

Note: The recorded session will not include a live pitch. Participants will view the recording on monitors individually at their own pace.