Community Health Impacts of the Trident Copper Mine Project in Northwestern Zambia: Results from Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys

Abstract

The application of a health impact assessment (HIA) for a large-scale copper mining project in rural Zambia triggered the long-term monitoring and evaluation of determinants of health and health outcomes in communities living in proximity to the mine. Three consecutive cross-sectional surveys were conducted at intervals of four years; thus, at baseline (2011), four (2015) and eight (2019) years into the project’s development. Using the same field and laboratory procedures, the surveys allowed for determining changes in health indicators at the household level, in young children (<5 years), school attendees (9–14 years) and women (15–49 years). Results were compared between communities considered impacted by the project and communities outside the project area (comparison communities). The prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum infection increased in both the impacted and comparison communities between 2011 and 2019 but remained consistently lower in the impacted communities. Stunting in children < 5 years and the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in children aged 9–14 years mostly decreased. In women of reproductive age, selected health indicators (i.e., anaemia, syphilis, underweight and place of delivery) either remained stable or improved. Impacted communities generally showed better health outcomes than comparison communities, suggesting that the health interventions implemented by the project as a consequence of the HIA have mitigated potential negative effects and enhanced positive effects. Caution is indicated to avoid promotion of health inequalities within and beyond the project area.

Health impacts of industrial mining on surrounding communities: Local perspectives from three sub-Saharan African countries

“…All these dimensions, alongside broad social engagement, need to be carefully incorporated when assessing health impacts, particularly in the dynamic setting of industrial mining projects [ 5 , 29 , 42 ]. A seminal study pertained to community health in mining regions monitored the health status of population in vicinity of a copper mine over time [ 8 ]. The researchers reported improvement of certain health conditions in mining communities compared to control groups, including reduced risk for malaria and less parasitic infections in children.…”

“…HIA, which is poorly institutionalised in sub-Saharan African countries [ 30 ], or the inclusion of health in other forms of impact assessment should go beyond a mechanism to obtain the mining licence and also encompass participatory monitoring and follow-ups [ 62 , 63 ]. As inclusive and participatory tool, HIA should inform community development initiatives including health interventions for local communities, and further contribute to sustained health improvements [ 8 ]. Meanwhile, this could strengthen Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which serves as umbrella term for various community development initiatives under the lead of the mining companies [ 64 ].…”

“…This also encompasses implications for health, which is a central aspect of sustainable development [ 5 , 6 ]. For example, if mining projects work in partnership with local health systems, it is expected that better health and well-being of local communities can be achieved in communities living in mining regions [ 7 , 8 ]. It has been shown that upgraded infrastructure and increased socio-economic conditions can result in a diverse set of health opportunities such as reduced childhood mortality, improved public infrastructure and increased wealth index [ 9 – 11 ].…”

Impact of mining projects on water and sanitation infrastructures and associated child health outcomes: a multi-country analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in sub-Saharan Africa

“…Evidence from single-country analyses point at positive impacts of mining projects on child nutrition in Mali but negative effects in Tanzania [ 20 ], while in a case study in Zambia no effect was found [ 27 ]. Similarly, the findings on the impact on diarrheal diseases are inconclusive [ 20 , 21 , 28 ]. In Zambia, the burden of diarrhea-causing parasitic infections decreased in mining areas [ 28 ].…”

Associations between Natural Resource Extraction and Incidence of Acute and Chronic Health Conditions: Evidence from Tanzania

“…Studies have linked activities of the resource extraction with increased incidence of respiratory diseases [ 13 , 14 ]; sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS [ 15 ]; malnutrition [ 16 ]; vector-related diseases [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]; mental health [ 20 , 21 ]; and cancer diseases [ 9 ]. On the other hand, resource extraction projects can positively contribute to population health through improved labor market opportunities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities that support local health systems or contribute to general health and education programs [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ].…”