The Zambia Environmental Justice Coalition ZEJC has called on the Zambia Environmental Management Agency ZEMA to defer its decision on the proposed expansion of Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited’s tailings storage facility in Chambishi.
This follows a serious tailings dam failure at the company’s operations in February 2025.
In a joint statement issued on 21st September 2026, ZEJC says Sino-Metals is proposing to expand its TD15G tailings facility into a substantially larger facility, TD15G-1.
The expansion would increase storage capacity from 1.84 million cubic metres to 5.48 million cubic metres and enlarge its footprint from 13 to 47 hectares, about 66 football pitches, with a maximum height of 22.5 metres and an intended operation of another 10 years.
ZEJC says given the scale of the project and environmental concerns from the February failure, the proposal demands a fully transparent and rigorous assessment before any approval.
The Coalition is therefore calling on ZEMA to defer its decision until Sino-Metals submits a supplemental Environmental and Social Impact Statement addressing outstanding environmental and technical issues.
And Ensure no site preparation or construction proceeds before a lawful regulatory decision.
Additionally require disclosure of complete engineering designs, independent engineering and geotechnical reviews, and emergency-response and monitoring arrangements.
Provide further opportunities for public scrutiny and consultation if key technical documents are submitted after the current consultation.
ZEJC has encouraged affected communities, civil society, technical experts and the public to attend a meeting thar will be held at Chambishi tomorrow wednesday, participate and seek clarity on safety measures and environmental risks.
The Coalition has urged ZEMA to protect surrounding communities and water resources by withholding approval until critical safety and environmental information is complete, publicly available and independently scrutinized.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso
