Farmers in Zambia have initiated a landmark $80 billion lawsuit against two Chinese-affiliated companies, Sino Metals Leach Zambia and NFC Africa Mining, following a catastrophic dam collapse that unleashed millions of liters of highly acidic mining waste into local waterways. The incident, which occurred in February, has been described as an ‘ecological catastrophe,’ resulting in mass fish fatalities, contaminated water supplies, and widespread crop destruction. The spill has impacted approximately 300,000 households in Zambia’s copper-mining region, prompting one of the largest environmental lawsuits in the country’s history. The farmers, represented by a group of 176 individuals, filed the lawsuit in the High Court of Lusaka, alleging that the disaster was caused by engineering failures, construction flaws, and operational mismanagement. The plaintiffs are demanding $80 billion for environmental reparation, full compensation, and the establishment of a $20 million emergency fund to address immediate health and environmental concerns. The US embassy has issued a health alert, warning of widespread contamination and potential airborne health risks, while the Zambian government has downplayed the severity of the situation, stating there is ‘no need to press the panic button.’ The companies involved have yet to comment on the lawsuit, though Sino Metals Leach Zambia previously claimed the spill was ‘promptly brought under control.’