High contamination in the areas surrounding abandoned mines and mining activities: an impact assessment of the Dilala, Luilu and Mpingiri Rivers, Democratic Republic of the Congo - October 2018

This case study shows the contamination degree and distribution of toxic metals and rare-earth elements in contrasting sediment, soil and plant samples surrounding rivers in the African copperbelt area. This area is characterized by the presence of numerous abandoned mines, artisanal and industrial mining activities. The study, which was performed by University of Kinshasa, University of Geneva and Pedagogic National University of Congo, highlights values of contamination much higher than the guidelines for the protection of aquatic life and soil cleanup standards.