Copper Mining Damaging Major River in Jiangxi Province

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The mining industry in China has taken off since the 1970s, but regulations to protect the environment and residents from mining pollution have not kept pace. In eastern Jiangxi province, decades of copper mining is taking a toll on a major river that provides water for more than 400,000 people.

China's largest copper producer is being blamed for water pollution that's affecting hundreds of thousands of people in eastern Jiangxi province. Residents there say wastewater from mining activities is flowing into a major river, contaminating farmlands, and damaging the health of locals.

The Le'an River provides drinking water and irrigation for 420,000 people in Leping City. It also feeds into China's largest freshwater lake. Locals say mines owned by Jiangxi Copper Group have been pumping industrial waste into the once pristine river, severely damaging the environment.

[Mr. Liu, Leping City Resident]:
"We used to drink well water, but now pollutants from the river are seeping into the wells. The situation has worsened in recent years. The river used to be clear, and had fish in it. Now there are no fish. There are no plants growing along the banks of the river."

The Leping city government reported in 2010 that pollution from copper mining has made more than 700 acres of farmland infertile in just one village. Another resident, also named Mr. Liu, says the pollution is also causing locals to develop cancer, but authorities have done little to address the problem.

[Mr. Liu, Leping City Resident]:
"The Dexing mine is producing waste and has contaminated villages along the river. Authorities have opened the doors to plants that are heavy polluters because they want to increase GDP. I have friends and family who died of cancer, including my father and two uncles. It's really heartbreaking."