Mining activities in Zambia and the R Congo have profound environmental impacts, shaped by the unique challenges and opportunities in the central African Copperbelt region. Although Zambia’s mining sector, particularly in the Copperbelt province, has been a cornerstone of its economy, it has also come with significant environmental costs. Historical and ongoing mining operations have led to pollution of air, soil, and water, as well as land degradation. For instance, Kabwe, once home to industrial lead and zinc mining, is now one of the most lead-polluted places globally. Decades of mining have left behind 6.4 million tons of lead-bearing waste, exposing up to 200,000 people to toxic lead dust (Human Rights Watch 2019; Blacksmith Institute report 2007). Efforts like the Copperbelt Environment Project (World Bank 2015)) have aimed to address these issues, yet challenges persist due to inadequate implementation of environmental regulations and lack of technical capacity. In the DR Congo, the extraction of critical minerals like cobalt and coltan has fueled global technological advancements but at a steep environmental and human cost. Industrial cobalt mining in the southern provinces like that of Haut Katanga has led to severe air, soil, food, and water pollution, harming local ecosystems and communities and agriculture (Banza Lubaba Nkulu et al. 2009b; Mwitwa et al. 2012a, b; Muimba-Kankolongo et al. 2021, 2022). Communities living near these mines face health risks, including reproductive health issues linked to toxic contamination. Additionally, artisanal mining practices often result in deforestation and soil erosion, further exacerbating environmental degradation. While international demand for these minerals continues to rise, both Zambia and the DR Congo grapple with balancing economic benefits against the environmental and social toll.