Lusaka High Court has adjourned the commencement of trial in a contractual dispute involving Drizit Zambia Limited and Sino Metals Leach Zambia Limited to December 1, 2026.
Lusaka High Court Judge Sylvia Munyinya has set December 1 to 4, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
The trial, which was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, was adjourned after internet connectivity challenges affected plans for four Drizit witnesses based in South Africa to testify via Zoom.
Judge Munyinya subsequently directed the four witnesses to travel to Zambia and testify in person, noting that reliance on Zoom could further delay proceedings due to unreliable internet connectivity.
The matter arises from a contractual dispute between Drizit Zambia and Sino Metals following an environmental assessment conducted after the February 2025 tailings dam failure.
Drizit is seeking approximately US$3.48 million from Sino Metals, comprising outstanding payments under the contract, damages, interest and legal costs.
The two companies entered into an agreement on March 29, 2025, under which Drizit was engaged to conduct the environmental assessment.
However, the contract was later terminated following disagreements between the parties.
Drizit has alleged that Sino Metals breached the agreement by failing to meet its contractual obligations, resulting in financial losses to the company.
Sino Metals has denied the allegations and filed a counterclaim of approximately US$871,800 against Drizit.
In its counterclaim, Sino Metals has accused Drizit of, among other things, fraudulent misrepresentation and submitting inaccurate reports in connection with the environmental assessment.
The High Court is expected to hear evidence from witnesses representing both parties when the trial begins on December 1, 2026.
