Background
The Ministry of Environment convenes inter-ministerial review meetings to evaluate Initial Environmental Impact Assessment (IEIA) reports submitted for projects that may affect land, water or biodiversity during exploration and early operational phases. Initial Environmental Impact Assessments (IEIAs) are submitted to the Ministry of Environment for technical review when a proposed project is expected to affect land, water, or biodiversity during exploration or development.
On 7 October 2026 the Ministry of Environment led a technical review meeting to collect comments on an IEIA for a mineral exploration concession covering 163.58 square kilometres across communes in Chhouk district, Kampot province and Phnom Srouch district, Kampong Speu province. Inter-ministerial review meetings collect technical inputs from sector ministries and the Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment to shape mitigation measures and monitoring obligations for exploration activities.
Scope of Application
The review covered the Initial Environmental Impact Assessment prepared for a mineral exploration project by Hong Meng Zhu (Cambodia) Investment Industry Co., Ltd. The reported exploration area is 163.58 km2 and spans communes in Chhouk district, Kampot province and Phnom Srouch district, Kampong Speu province. The IEIA was prepared by consultancy CJ Sustainable Co., Ltd. and was examined by technical staff from the Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment together with 28 representatives from relevant ministries and institutions.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The meeting was organised to review, discuss and gather substantive inputs from participating agencies so the IEIA can be made more comprehensive and technically robust. Participants focused on proposed mitigation measures for exploration-stage impacts and on aligning the report with applicable environmental law and customary procedural standards. The session did not record approval; its stated objective was to identify technical gaps and recommend revisions to the IEIA document.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Investors preparing exploration projects should expect iterative technical review and cross-agency comment when an IEIA is submitted to the Ministry of Environment. Project proponents are expected to address technical comments and incorporate mitigation and monitoring measures identified during inter-ministerial review to progress toward formal environmental permitting. Consulting firms preparing IEIAs should document responses to agency comments to support subsequent review steps and compliance monitoring.
Official Source
Ministry of Environment Facebook post, 7 October 2026: source.
