Kabwe, Zambia

Originally named Broken Hill, Kabwe was founded in 1902 when lead and zinc deposits were found there.
In 2007 it was named as one of the ten most polluted places on earth, due to contamination of the local water supply with lead and other toxins, severely impacting the health of local children, despite mining ceasing some years before.
A UN report in 2022 identified the town as a ‘sacrifice zone’ for industry – that is to say, an area permanently impaired by heavy environmental alterations, caused in this case by mining.

Approx area depicted: 70 km2
Date of image: 2021