As stated in the project disclosure document, DFC will provide a pre-investment technical assistance grant of $3,200,000 to Chillerton Limited for feasibility studies, including an updated mineral resource estimate study, metallurgical assessments and geological data, hydrological and geotechnical evaluations, and a captive solar powerplant feasibility study for the mining and processing of copper at their Kakosa site, in order to prepare the project for potential DFC debt financing.

Existing evidence from the Kakosa area shows that copper mining has caused severe water contamination, destruction of farmland, and serious health impacts. Toxic effluent discharges polluted rivers used for drinking, washing, and irrigation, while communities reported crop losses, reduced fish stocks, and illnesses including rashes, abdominal pain, and other long-term health problems (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/vedanta-konkola-copper-mines-settle-uk-lawsuit-brought-by-zambian-villagers-for-alleged-pollution-from-mining-activities/). In some cases, rivers turned visibly polluted and unsafe, with contamination exceeding legal limits and affecting groundwater sources (Goldman Environmental Prize: https://www.goldmanprize.org/recipient/chilekwa-mumba/). Given that the Chillerton project is preparing similar copper extraction and processing activities, future impacts are likely to include cumulative water stress, further pollution, and intensified health and livelihood risks, especially in already-affected communities.

Chillerton has been involved in a legal case, Chillerton Group Limited v Konkola Mineral Resources Limited and Konkola Copper Mines Plc, concerning conflicts between surface (land) rights holders and mining rights holders (https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/scr/vol7/iss1/8/
That case suggests there are tensions over property rights, land ownership, and conflicting legal regimes.

Communities likely to be impacted by the Chillerton Kakosa project include rural villages in Zambia’s Copperbelt region—particularly Kakosa, Shimulala, Hippo Pool, and Hellen, located near major copper mining operations around Chingola. These communities rely heavily on smallholder farming and fishing, with livelihoods dependent on the Kafue River and its tributaries. Evidence shows that these same communities have already been affected by mining pollution: more than 2,500 villagers (including hundreds of children) brought legal claims against mining companies like Vedanta Resources due to environmental harm affecting their land, water, and livelihoods (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/vedanta-konkola-copper-mines-settle-uk-lawsuit-brought-by-zambian-villagers-for-alleged-pollution-from-mining-activities/).

As stated on the company's website, Chillerton Group is a privately owned, UK based group of companies with an interest in copper and cobalt mining in Zambia, Africa.

No project contacts provided at the time of disclosure.

Client - Chillerton Limited:

Address: Plot No 1276, Lubuto Road, Rhodespark, Lusaka Zambia
Email: mail@chillertonltd.com
Website: https://chillerton.com/ 

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Unlike many other development finance institutions, DFC does not currently have an access to information policy.

Under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), DFC is obliged to respond to reasonably formulated requests for Agency records. However, DFC may apply exemptions from release to certain types of information and may charge fees in responding to requests. DFC has a designated FOIA officer who is trained in how to respond to requests and implement the law. You can learn more about filing a FOIA request at: https://www.dfc.gov/foia

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION (DFC)

The Office of Accountability is an independent office that addresses complaints about environmental or social issues related to DFC-supported projects. The office provides communities an opportunity to have concerns independently reviewed and addressed. If you submit a complaint to the Office of Accountability, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a problem solving dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the DFC complied with its policies to prevent environmental, social, human rights, and labor harms.

You can find more information about the Office of Accountability at: https://www.dfc.gov/who-we-are/office-accountability