Background
On 6 October 2026 the Ministry of Environment convened an inter-ministerial review to examine the initial Environmental Impact Assessment (IEIA) submitted for a metal exploration project covering 154.16 square kilometres. H.E. Heng Nareth, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, chaired the session attended by 39 representatives from relevant ministries, institutions and technical units.
The IEIA under review pertains to exploration activities proposed by FENGYING JIUJIU MINING (CAMBODIA) CO., LTD. and was prepared by W2P ENVIRONMENT CO., LTD.; the zones identified for the study lie in Thma Puok district (Banteay Meanchey province) and Banteay Ampil district (Oddar Meanchey province). The meeting aimed to gather inputs and recommendations from sectoral agencies and technical departments to improve the IEIA’s completeness and to scrutinise proposed environmental and social mitigation measures for alignment with applicable law and normative instruments.
Scope of Application
The review covered the initial IEIA for a mineral (metal) exploration concession totaling 154.16 km² across two districts in northern Cambodia. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Environment’s Department of Environmental Impact Assessment, technical staff, and representatives of other concerned ministries and institutions invited to provide sector-specific comments.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Representatives provided technical comments and recommended clarifications intended for incorporation into the IEIA draft. The assessment specifically examined proposed mitigation measures and social safeguards associated with exploration activities, with the objective of improving the report’s methodological rigor and completeness prior to further administrative review.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Project proponents preparing exploration or development dossiers should expect detailed technical review by environmental authorities and invited sector agencies during the IEIA phase. Incorporating consolidated agency feedback and clearly documented mitigation measures will be essential for the IEIA to meet the Ministry of Environment’s review expectations and to proceed through subsequent environmental assessment procedures.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook post, published 6 October 2026: source.
