This project aims to develop and implement effective strategies to clean up ecosystems affected by mining activities and to improve both environmental quality and the health of the population in the Katanga Copperbelt Area (KCA).
Specific Objectives
The project’s specific objectives are to:
· Enhance the assessment and remediation of pollution in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as improve air quality and urban management.
· Improve public health by reducing and preventing exposure to toxic trace metals and by ensuring access to appropriate health care for affected populations.
Medium-Term Goals
The project seeks to:
· Strengthen human and material capacities at the University of Lubumbashi (UNILU) and within the provinces of Upper Katanga and Lualaba to better understand the interlinked issues of ecosystem pollution, public health, and urbanization driven by mining activities.
· Develop and propose targeted strategies for the remediation of polluted areas, the management of environment-related health problems, and the sustainable spatial planning of urbanized zones in the KCA.
Long-Term Vision
The project aims to:
· Position UNILU as a regional center of excellence in environmental quality improvement and sustainable ecosystem management.
· Restore and rehabilitate ecosystems degraded by mining activities to reduce exposure risks for humans, plants, and animals, and to enhance their overall contribution to population well-being.
· Ensure appropriate healthcare for populations affected by environmental degradation, particularly those exposed to pollution and the effects of unplanned urbanization under strong demographic pressure.
Currently 4 Joint PhDstudents, 5 local PhDstudents and 1 Masterstudent are supported by this subproject: