Future Resources Development Association

Kitwe, Zambia – 29 September 2025.

The Mine Water Atlas of the Zambian Copperbelt (MWAZACO) project was officially launched at the Copperbelt University (CBU), marking a key milestone in strengthening Zambia’s capacity for sustainable mine water management. This project is a flagship initiative dedicated to mapping, monitoring, and managing mine-water pollution in one of Africa’s most intensively mined regions.

The project is funded by the Czech Development Agency (CzechAid), co-funded and led by the Future Resources Development (FRDA). It brings together a dynamic consortium of Zambian and Czech partners, including OPV, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development (MSD), Copperbelt University (CBU), the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), and HYDRO-PUR, a Czech company specialising in advanced water treatment technologies.

Together, the partners aim to develop a comprehensive Mine Water Atlas, a digital platform that integrates field data, hydrogeological models, and remote sensing to support evidence-based decision-making for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable mining landscapes.

Day 1: Official Launch and Strategic Dialogue

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The Mine Water Atlas of the Zambian Copperbelt (MWAZACO) was officially launched on Monday, 29 September 2025, at the School of Mines and Mineral Sciences, Copperbelt University (CBU), in a ceremony that brought together Zambian and Czech partners, government officials, and academic representatives.

The event was moderated by Ms. Christabel Malama, who served as Director of Ceremonies. Dr. Gabriel Ziwa, Dean of the School of Mines and Mineral Sciences, opened the launch with a warm welcome, underscoring CBU’s dedication to advancing research-driven solutions for Zambia’s mining sector.

He was followed by Dr. Hynek Roubík from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), Mr. Jackson King Kafwanka, representing the Mines Safety Department (MSD), and Mr. Michal Žák of the Future Resources Development Association (FRDA), each highlight the project’s role in strengthening scientific collaboration and building capacity for sustainable mine-water management in the Copperbelt.

A special address was delivered by His Excellency Pavel Procházka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Zambia, who emphasised CzechAid’s commitment to supporting innovative partnerships that translate research into tangible community and environmental benefits. He praised MWAZACO as “a shining example of how Czech and Zambian expertise can join forces to protect water resources and promote sustainable development.”

Prof. Imasiku Nyambe, Vice-Chancellor of CBU, followed with an inspiring keynote that reaffirmed the university’s pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental governance and scientific education in the region.

The Guest of Honour, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development, officially inaugurated the MWAZACO Project, commending the initiative as “a model of international cooperation that bridges science, policy, and practice for a more sustainable mining future.”

After a short coffee break, Dr. Hynek Roubík (CZU) led the presentation of the MWAZACO project, outlining its objectives to map, monitor, and mitigate mine-water pollution in the Copperbelt region through scientific collaboration, geospatial data integration, including the development of a mobile pilot water treatment plant and institutional capacity building.

The morning continued with a high-level Governance and Strategy Session, during which the consortium endorsed progress reports, conducted risk monitoring, and adjusted the mid-term work plan. A detailed Activity Calendar for the upcoming phases was approved, reflecting the shared commitment to accelerate technical and outreach components before the project’s next reporting cycle.

A networking lunch hosted by CBU provided a relaxed setting for partners to exchange perspectives and discuss cross-sectoral collaboration. The afternoon featured key discussions focusing on (1) technical data and modelling frameworks, (2) postgraduate training and MSc research streams, and (3) stakeholder engagement and communication strategies.

By late afternoon, participants reconvened for a plenary feedback session, adopting resolutions to guide MWAZACO’s next operational steps. The day concluded with a guided tour of CBU’s laboratories and the site designated for the future Center of Excellence in Mine Water Management, a cornerstone of the project’s long-term vision. The official launch dinner that evening celebrated the event’s success and strengthened interpersonal and institutional ties among the partners.

Day 2: Field Visit to Konkola Mine and Pollution Hotspots

On Tuesday, 30 September, the consortium departed at dawn for Chililabombwe to conduct a technical field visit at Konkola Mine, one of the Copperbelt’s key mining operations. Led by Dr. Nyirenda, the group toured drainage systems, discharge points, and tailings management zones, receiving detailed briefings on the operational and environmental safeguards currently in place.

The field visit emphasised the practical importance of MWAZACO’s data collection and modelling components, aiming to support both industry and government in identifying critical pollution hotspots and designing mitigation measures.

An on-site lunch provided further opportunity for open dialogue with the mine’s technical team, after which the delegation visited a mapped pollution hotspot near Chingola, gaining firsthand insight into the environmental challenges associated with legacy tailings and effluent discharge, as well as their management.

By evening, the team returned to Kitwe to carry out further project activities

Days 3–5: Institutional Engagement and Extended Cooperation

The final days of the mission, from October 1 to 3, were dedicated to bilateral and institutional meetings. Members of the delegation met with CBU technical teams, MSD, and the Czech Embassy in Lusaka, exploring further avenues for cooperation in research, education, and regulatory capacity building.

Additional side meetings were proposed with the Ministry of Water Development, the EU Delegation, and civil society organisations active in the water and environmental sectors. For the Czech partners, the visit also included a brief cultural engagement at the Czech Embassy in Lusaka, featuring a traditional goulash evening and administrative facilitation for voting procedures.

Looking Ahead

The MWAZACO project represents a forward-looking model of international collaboration that bridges research and real-world impact. By combining Czech technical expertise with Zambia’s deep mining experience, the consortium aims to deliver a comprehensive digital atlas of mine-water dynamics, enhance data transparency, and empower local institutions to make informed environmental decisions.

As Mr. Michal Žák (FRDA) remarked, “This partnership is not just about data collection, it’s about building long-term capacity, trust, and resilience. The Copperbelt has the potential to become a global example of how mining regions can transition toward sustainable water stewardship.”

The successful launch in Kitwe marked not only the beginning of MWAZACO’s operational phase but also a renewed commitment to sustainable development and international scientific solidarity.