Several studies have confirmed that over 100,000 people near the mine, including tens of thousands of children, suffer from lead poisoning.

The skull was studied by Arthur Smith Woodward of the British Museum of Natural History, who published a paper naming the new human precursor Homo rhodesiensis.

Human rights and environmental organisations also urged the government to address the pollution and resulting health problems in local communities.

[9] The United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) has set 3.5 μg/dL as the allowable level of lead in the blood.

[10][7] During its peak production from 1925 to 1974, the mine was majority owned by Anglo American plc, which was headquartered in South Africa at the time.

In 1929, observers reported large caves, "lined with beautiful crystals of pyromorphite and cerussite", as well as descloizite and vanadinite.

[2] Numerous studies since 1971 have confirmed a pattern of lead poisoning in the area,[8][15] and Kabwe remains one of the world's most polluted towns.

[1] A 2015 study found that 100% of children tested had blood lead levels (BLL) exceeding CDC guidelines.

[14] In October 2020, a lawsuit was filed in South Africa against Anglo American on behalf of lead poisoning victims.

[21][5][11] The lawsuit could set an important precedent for holding corporations accountable for local impacts in African courts.

[4] The bones were sent to the London Museum of Natural History, and Arthur Smith Woodward published a paper naming the new human precursor Homo rhodesiensis.

It has been difficult to determine the age of the skull, partly because the area where it was found has been destroyed by mining activity.