This case study describes the efforts of an independent professional team working with South African and Namibian specialists to identify and address environmental and public health and safety concerns related to the development of a zinc mine and refinery in south western Namibia. The public participation process, which was initiated during the environmental assessment exercise and continued into the implementation and construction phase of the project, involved a broad range of Namibian stakeholders. This case illustrates that there may be tensions between the interests of local and national stakeholders on projects of national significance, and that ensuring the participation of local stakeholders may require a concerted and sustained effort. This project took place in the context of a yet untested Namibian legal and policy framework and therefore served as a learning environment for subsequent efforts.