Background
The Ministry of Environment serves as the coordinating authority for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reviews that feed into Cambodia’s environmental permitting framework. The Ministry of Environment coordinates inter-ministerial reviews of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports for projects that require environmental clearance.
Full EIA reports for large-scale mining projects document project footprint, projected environmental impacts, and proposed mitigation measures for assessment by technical departments and provincial authorities. On 9 June 2026, Secretary of State Heng Naret chaired an inter-ministry meeting to review and provide comments on the full EIA report for an iron ore mining project covering 18,051 hectares in the Phnom Tnout area of Kampot province.
Scope of Application
The review focused on a proposed iron ore mining project by GLOBAL GREEN (CAMBODIA) ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., with the study prepared by consultant E.S.A RESEARCH CO., LTD. The project area spans Phnom Tnout within Chhuk, Chum Kiri, Tuek Chhou and Dang Tong districts of Kampot province and covers 18,051 hectares as reported by the Ministry of Environment.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The meeting convened representatives and technical directors from multiple ministries and provincial bodies to examine the full EIA report and offer comments. Participating entities included the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, provincial Kampot administration and the Kampot Provincial Department of Environment, alongside the EIA Department acting as secretariat.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
For investors and project developers, completion of a full EIA and participation in inter-ministry consultation are material steps in the environmental permitting pathway for major mining projects in Cambodia. The project’s large geographic footprint and involvement of multiple sector ministries indicate a multi-agency review process that can affect project schedule, technical requirements for mitigation, and stakeholder engagement planning.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook post, 9 June 2026: inter-ministry meeting chaired by Secretary of State Heng Naret on the full EIA report for the GLOBAL GREEN (CAMBODIA) ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD. iron ore project; consultant listed as E.S.A RESEARCH CO., LTD. Source: https://www.facebook.com/MinistryOfEnvironmentCambodia/posts/pfbid0VFc8bhecGKK8s5wGx4vPwieyDHG8TscpqYfMePVvhGDUw9W2D2iN5qe3gh7wgaokl
