Authors :
Tina Kon-A-Kabey; Dorkab Lunda Ntengu; Gaylord Mungwa Kalundu; Kaboba Mutamba Eddy
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/52e297r9
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2nw65424
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26May1638
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of industrial wastewater discharged by Ruashi
Mining in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo. These waters are used daily by local residents for domestic activities,
raising serious public health concerns due to the presence of heavy metals. The analysis covered parameters such as
turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, and heavy metal concentrations. The results
reveal significant levels of pollution, highlighting the urgent need for proper treatment before any domestic use.
Keywords :
Characterization, Industrial Wastewater, Heavy Metals, Turbidity, Physico-Chemical Analysis, Ruashi Mining.
References :
- Chironga, L. (2013). Designing a dewatering plan for the Ruashi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Benchmarks Foundation. (2010). Mining in Kolwezi: Water & Health in the Musonoi Area. Retrieved from https://safsc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Glencore-in-the-DRC-study.pdf
- Lutandula, M. S., Matanda, P. M., Kime, M.-B. (2020). Environmental impacts of copper and cobalt mining in Katanga. Journal of Sustainable Mining, Volume 19, Issue 2, pages 96-114.
- RAID & AFREWATCH. (2024). Beneath the green: The human rights impacts of water pollution from cobalt mines in DRC. Retrieved from https://raid-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Report-Beneath-the-Green-DRC-Pollution-March-2024.pdf
- Tshanga, M., Mashauri, F., & Mashala, P. (2025). Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Mutoshi deposit environment, Kolwezi (Lualaba, DR Congo). Advances in Environmental and Engineering Research, 6(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.21926/aeer.2502019
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2021). Environmental and Health Impacts of Mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Case Study of Kolwezi. Nairobi: UNEP.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2022). Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Water Resources in Mining Areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Nairobi: UNEP.
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Monitoring and Management of Water Quality in Mining Regions: A Case Study from Kolwezi. Nairobi: UNEP.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda. Geneva.
- World Health Organization. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Arsenic in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Lead in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Mercury in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality: First addendum to the fourth edition. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Manganese in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Iron in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Calcium and Magnesium in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
This study focuses on the physico-chemical characterization of industrial wastewater discharged by Ruashi
Mining in Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo. These waters are used daily by local residents for domestic activities,
raising serious public health concerns due to the presence of heavy metals. The analysis covered parameters such as
turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, and heavy metal concentrations. The results
reveal significant levels of pollution, highlighting the urgent need for proper treatment before any domestic use.
Keywords :
Characterization, Industrial Wastewater, Heavy Metals, Turbidity, Physico-Chemical Analysis, Ruashi Mining.