A U.S. House Select Committee on China has found that the Zambian government assisted a Chinese-owned mining company, Sino-Metals, in covering up a significant pollution incident. This alleged cover-up occurred despite Zambia owing billions in debt to Beijing, highlighting potential leverage China holds over the African nation. The incident involved the collapse of a tailings dam owned by Sino-Metals, which released toxic sludge into the Kafue River. Over a year later, the environmental consequences are severe, with farmlands scorched, hundreds of residents lacking clean water, and land remaining contaminated with heavy metals.