⚠ Official Notice: www.ijisrt.com is the official website of the International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology (IJISRT) Journal for research paper submission and publication. Please beware of fake or duplicate websites using the IJISRT name.



Physico-Chemical Characterization of Industrial Wastewater from Ruashi Mining in Kolwezi (DRC)


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 :

  1. Chironga, L. (2013). Designing a dewatering plan for the Ruashi mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Monitoring and Management of Water Quality in Mining Regions: A Case Study from Kolwezi. Nairobi: UNEP.
  9. World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Guidelines for drinking-water quality: Fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda. Geneva.
  10. 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.
  11. World Health Organization (WHO). (2019). Lead in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  12. World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). Mercury in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  13. World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality: First addendum to the fourth edition. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  14. World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Manganese in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  15. World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Iron in Drinking-water: Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. Geneva: World Health Organization.
  16. 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.

Paper Submission Last Date
30 - June - 2026

SUBMIT YOUR PAPER CALL FOR PAPERS
Video Explanation for Published paper

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe