The Most Toxic City in Africa

A Black Mountain looms over the city of Kabwe, Zambia. This elevation is not natural, but man-made. It was created in 1994, when deposits from decommissioned mines were piled on top of one another. After decades of extractive mining in the area, the legacies of the lead mines remain, with these deposits seeping into the airs, waters and soils surrounding and within the city.

This Vice documentary unveils how the the complex aftermaths of extractive colonial projects continue to play out in their transformed lives of African citizens. We learn about the specific conditions of lead poisoning, which miners and smelters continue to face in order to make a living off these toxic lands. We also find out about what citizens are doing to fight against these conditions within healthcare, legal and political contexts.