Copper Mine Waste Contaminates River in Southeast China, Sparks Massive Fish Kill

Environmental authorities in east China's Fujian Province have confirmed that a copper mine has contaminated a river, causing a massive fish kill. The incident has resulted in the deaths of approximately 1.89 million kilograms of fish in the Mianhuatan Reservoir in Yongding County. The smell of dead fish is reportedly discernible 10 kilometers from the reservoir, and local residents have been mobilized to net the dead fish. The county government has issued a circular asking residents to turn in poisoned fish for collective disposal, with villagers receiving 3 yuan (0.4 U.S. dollars) for each kilogram of dead fish turned in.

Key Takeaways:

• A copper mine owned by Hong Kong-listed Zijin Mining Group Co. has contaminated a river in east China's Fujian Province, resulting in a massive fish kill.
• Approximately 1.89 million kilograms of fish in the Mianhuatan Reservoir in Yongding County have been found dead or poisoned.
• The smell of dead fish is discernible 10 kilometers from the reservoir.
• Local residents have been mobilized to net the dead fish, with the county government issuing a circular asking residents to turn in poisoned fish for collective disposal.
• Villagers will receive 3 yuan (0.4 U.S. dollars) for each kilogram of dead fish turned in.
• The contamination has killed all 25,000 kilograms of fish on a fish farm owned by a local veteran fisherman.
• More than 100 officers and soldiers from the Longyan detachment of the armed police have worked for 11 hours at the reservoir to aid in the cleanup.
• Villagers have urged the mining company to compensate them for their losses.

Statistics:

• 1.89 million kilograms of fish found dead or poisoned in the Mianhuatan Reservoir.
• 110 officers and soldiers from the Longyan detachment of the armed police have assisted in the cleanup efforts.
• 11 hours of work by the armed police detachment at the reservoir.
• 25,000 kilograms of fish killed on a fish farm owned by a local veteran fisherman.
• 3 yuan (0.4 U.S. dollars) compensation per kilogram of dead fish turned in by villagers.

Sources:

• Xinhua via COMTEX, Jul 12, 2010.