SOMIKA Accused of Polluting the Kasonta River in Kipushi

The Institute for Human Rights Research (IRDH) accuses the Mining Company of Katanga (SOMIKA) of dumping acidic effluents in April 2026 near the village of Kwampisha in the Kipushi territory (Haut-Katanga). These substances flooded the road and then the Kasonta River, which is used by the local population for drinking water, fish farming, and irrigation, threatening agriculture and health. SOMIKA, through its human resources manager Patrick Barudi, rejects the allegations and claims that tests found no pollution in the Kibunduka River.