Toxic emissions from a copper plant in Zambia, owned by a subsidiary of mining and commodities trader Glencore, were responsible for the death of a politician, according to the country’s high court. In June, Glencore was ordered to pay £30,000 to the widower of Beatrice Mithi in a ruling that could expose the company to claims from people living close to the Mufulira district mine who have complained of health problems. The judge ruled that sulphur dioxide emissions from the mine had exceeded the legal limit, thus breaking the company’s one environmental indemnity agreement with the government.
Toxic emissions from a copper plant in Zambia, owned by a subsidiary of mining and commodities trader Glencore, were responsible for the death of a politician, according to the country’s high court. In June, Glencore was ordered to pay £30,000 to the widower of Beatrice Mithi in a ruling that could expose the company to claims from people living close to the Mufulira district mine who have complained of health problems. The judge ruled that sulphur dioxide emissions from the mine had exceeded the legal limit, thus breaking the company’s 2000 environmental indemnity agreement with the government.