Contribution of trace metals in water from the underground mining of Kipushi in Kafubu river (DR Congo)

This study aims to evaluate the metal pollution levels after water from the underground mine Kipushi located south of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Kafubu River. To achieve this, the waters were sampled at three sampling campaigns (February, March and April of 2012) from the drain into the Katapula Kafubu River downstream of the confluence with the river Kipushi. It has been shown that cadmium and zinc values at 83.3% and 66.7% respectively were higher than those of the standard set by the European Union and 16.7%, 66.7% are higher as the Mining Regulations of the Democratic Republic of Congo for liquid effluents. Moreover, these high levels could pose health risks to the local population of Kafubu River. Our results serve as a warning bell to national environmental policies to protect the people living in a mining environment.