CALL FOR COMMENTS AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITY (TD15G) IN CHAMBISHI OF KALULUSHI DISTRICT
BY SINO-METALS LEACH ZAMBIA LIMITED (SMLZ)
Sino-Metals Leach Zambia Limited (SMLZ) is a Zambian‑incorporated company and a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co. Ltd (CNMC). The company operates a copper concentrator and hydrometallurgical complex in Kalulushi District.
The Company proposes to extend the existing Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) namely TD15G to ensure long-term tailings management and to avoid the need for future greenfield development. The works will involve extension of the northern and southern embarkments and constructing a new western embarkment. The expanded tailings pond will be called TD15G-1. The total storage capacity of the combined TD15G-1 facility will be 5.48 million m³ (effective capacity 4.76 million m³) and cover an area of 0.47km2.
The TSF will be a 22.5 m fully engineered tailings dam lined with a 1.5 mm HDPE composite geomembrane anti-seepage layer. Tailings from the existing leaching plant will be pumped via a dedicated HDPE pipeline of approximately 0.225 m diameter. To manage any potential seepage that may bypass the liner through construction defects or damage, the following systems will be in place:
- Water Management System;
- Leak Detection and Underdrainage System;
- Monitoring Programme;
- Lining System (Anti-Seepage); and
- Tailings Drainage System;
The estimated lifespan of the proposed project is expected to be 10 years.
This notice serves to inform members of the public, interested and affected parties that Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has received the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the above-mentioned project for review. In line with the provisions of the Environmental Management Act Cap 204 of the Laws of Zambia as read together with the Environmental Management (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2026, the report is available for scrutiny during working hours at the following places and website:
- ZEMA – Northern Region Office, NDOLA
- ZEMA- Information and Documentation Centre, LUSAKA
- Kalulushi Municipal Council – Civic Centre, KALULUSHI
- ZEMA website: www.zema.org.zm
Interested and affected parties may send their written submissions to the undersigned. The deadline for submission of comments is October 1, 2026.
Further ZEMA wishes to inform the public that there will be a Public Hearing Meeting for the above-mentioned project. The details of the meeting are as follows:
Venue: Chambishi Sub-Centre Premises,
Time: 09:00 hours to 12:00 hours
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
The Director General
Zambia Environmental Management Agency
Corner of Church and Suez Roads
P.O. Box 35131, LUSAKA
E-mail: info@zema.org.zm
Tel No.: +260 211 254023/59
Fax No.: +260 211 254164
