• TI-Z commends ZEMA’s move to cancel the decision letter pertaining to the large scale mining in Lower Zambezi National Park.
• ZEMA’s letter outlining the conditions breached by the mine shows that the mine was not operating in good faith.
• ZEMA and the Ministry of Mines should also improve coordination for monitoring compliance.

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has called on Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) to enhance their monitoring of projects to ensure that mining projects comply with the law and commitments as stated in respective Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) reports as well as decision letters.
In a statement, TI-Z Executive Director Maurice Nyambe however applauded ZEMA’s move to cancel the decision letter issued in 2021 pertaining to the large scale mining project by Mwembeshi Resource Limited in the Lower Zambezi National Park in Luangwa district.
Mr. Nyambe stated that the decision, being based on the mining company’s failure to comply with certain conditions, is a good example of ZEMA holding mining firms accountable to environmental regulations.
He said cancellation of the decision letter is a step in the right direction, considering the manner in which the license for the mining project was awarded, which raised serious questions about whether the project was well-intended and in public developmental interest.
“Secondly, TI-Z welcomes ZEMA’s decision considering that even after the said company was found in violation of the decision letter, ZEMA did in fact halt and suspend the mining project through a compliance order issued in May this year. “
“ZEMA’s letter outlining the conditions breached by the mine shows that the mine was not operating in good faith and in compliance with stipulated standards. It also shows that the mining company wantonly had no regard for the sensitive environment it was operating in being an area designated as a national park. This also goes to show to a great extent that the mining project had no intentions to honor the commitments stated in its Environmental Impact Statement and decision letter issued by ZEMA,” Mr. Nyambe stated.
Mr. Nyambe further called for better coordination between ZEMA and Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development in the issuance of mining licences.
“Ideally, mining licences should be issued prior to a license or mining right being awarded as opposed to current practice which has led to some contentious projects, such as the aforementioned, being given approval albeit questionably.
“Further, ZEMA and the Ministry of Mines should also improve coordination for monitoring compliance and enhance mechanisms for complaint reporting of mining projects. TI-Z continues to call for increased accountability and transparency in this regard, Mr. Nyambe added.
He also advised ZEMA to continue to espouse transparency in its operations by ensuring that standards are met for holding public consultations and public hearings for environmental impact assessments, as well as in continuing to improve the public availability of EIS reports and decision letters.
Section 16(2) of the Zambia Wildlife Act No. 14 of 2015 provides that a mining right shall not be granted in a National Park, Community partnership Park or bird and Wildlife sanctuary without an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with the procedures specified by the Environmental Management Act, 2011.