Africa Mining Accountability Platform

SARW, through the Africa Mining Accountability Platform (AMAP), is finalising documentation on a significant occupational health incident at the Southern Africa Ferro Alloys Limited (SAFAL) manganese processing plant in Serenje District, Zambia. According to the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), medical testing conducted between 2020 and 2022 confirmed that 271 of 281 workers had elevated manganese levels, with 28 exhibiting neurological symptoms consistent with toxic exposure, posing long-term health risks. This resulted in major changes to the workers’ lives and livelihoods; however, manganese mined at SAFAL operations is part of the feedstock in high demand for the manufacturing of green technologies critical to solving the global decarbonisation agenda. The minerals must be sourced responsibly for the benefit of communities, producing countries, and global sustainability goals.

The case file prepared for AMAP reporting was created collaboratively with CEJ. This follows CEJ’s extensive fieldwork, stakeholder engagement, and pursuit of lasting redress, including appropriate compensation for victims. The case will serve as a key test case in AMAP’s rollout activities within its sustainability reporting campaign, emphasising corporate compliance with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, including respect for workers’ and community rights, as well as effective grievance redress. The full case file release is scheduled to go live on AMAP in July 2025.