"Lead exposure at Rosh Pinah in the ||Kharas regin remains a constant risk for residents and miners" 8 October 2025

'Exposure to lead at Rosh Pinah in the ||Kharas region remains a constant risk for the residents of the town and the employees of the local zinc mine.' (...)

'Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation is now owned by Appian Capital Advisory, which mines lead and other precious metals at the town.

Vedanta Skorpion Zinc, located about 30km outside Rosh Pinah, was a zinc mine and has been placed under care and maintenance since 2020.

Rosh Pinah resident Geraldine Isaacks says mineworkers and their families are the most exposed and affected by lead.

Isaacks says she has two children she has to watch most of the time as they play in and sometimes eat sand and inhale dust particles.

“One of my children tested positive for lead exposure. Her levels were, however, not that high. But I wondered how she got it because she is two years old and mostly stays indoors,” she says.

The toddler was placed on treatment and her lead levels have reduced to less than 5mg.

A report by Viceroy Research group indicates that Rosh Pinah, which previously housed Skorpion Zinc employees, has documented lead contamination linked to local mining activity, including the Skorpion and the Rosh Pinah mines.

The report states that sheens of toxic lead dust were visible under doors every morning at Rosh Pinah and that workers described Rosh Pinah as among the worst living conditions they had experienced, with many citing health hazards as the reason for a high turnover rate at the mine. The township has not undergone any rehabilitation.' (...)

'Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation’s new owners, Appian Capital Advisory, say when they took over two years ago they launched an investigation into lead exposure among children.

The company says protecting local communities, “our employees, and the environment is our greatest priority”.

It says it only became aware of lead exposure risks following completion of its acquisition of Rosh Pinah in June 2023.

“We regard environmental, social and governance standards as crucial elements within all investment opportunities and are committed to ensuring that all of its portfolio companies adhere to leading international standards,” the company says.

It says the mine has carried out a lead awareness campaign at local schools and distributed lead awareness pamphlets to the community, while the identified area responsible for lead inducement was fenced off.

“Over a hundred families from the Beth-El township that were most affected were also moved from their houses so we could rehabilitate the area, and we have moved them back recently after obtaining clearance from the health ministry,” the statement says.

Appian says it is a signatory to the United Nation’s Principles for Responsible Investment, the International Council on Mining and Metals Sustainable Development Framework, and the ESG Data Convergence Initiative, and says it supports the responsible sourcing initiative and is a partner of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation.'