Zambia

Upon learning that 50 million liters of waste from a Chinese copper mine in Zambia had flooded farms, communities, and water sources, Jingjing Zhang became involved in planning a lawsuit against Sino-Metals Leach Zambia. The mine’s pollution wiped out an entire year of crop yields for residents living downstream. Water meant for drinking, fishing, and irrigation became contaminated with acid and heavy metals. During her preliminary meetings with community members, Zhang emphasized that for state-owned Chinese companies like Sino-Metals, Western-style advocacy would not work. Zhang has a long background in confronting companies that pollute or displace communities in Global South countries for profit. Having grown up near chemical plants and steel mills, she experienced extreme air pollution at a time when environmentalists in China were severely oppressed. Despite this, she persevered and took part in China’s first environmental class-action lawsuit against a chemical company that contaminated water sources in Fujian Province. She has repeatedly witnessed the Chinese government prioritize profit over people’s livelihoods and has seen this model replicated in countries already deeply indebted to China, such as Zambia. When working with affected residents in Kalusale, she centered community leadership and lived experience, supporting community-led research initiatives and educating residents on their rights. This was essential in the face of Sino-Metals and government officials who not only deflected requests for information but claimed the river water quality was unaffected. Despite numerous barriers, including constant surveillance by company officials and feeling unable to return to China, she remains committed to fighting for climate justice and environmental rights.