TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – TSX-listed Gabriel Resources has moved to allay concerns that the decision of the Supreme Court of Romania to annul an archaeological discharge certificate for the company's delayed Rosia Montana project will affect other permitting processes for the mine.

“The cancellation of [the certificate] does not suspend, terminate or delay any permitting processes that are currently running in parallel,” Gabriel said in a statement.

The Rosia Montana project has drawn opposition from nongovernmental groups as well as some corners of government, and has been put on hold until the company can resolve a number of legal and permitting disputes with the government.

The annulment also does not “affect, cancel or terminate any rights the company currently holds, or has previously acquired, with respect to the Rosia Montana project".

The firm will require a new archaeological certificate to apply for a construction permit for Rosia Montana, but is confident its development schedule allows for enough time to secure a new certificate before applying for the construction permit.

Once the court has provided its reasons for the annulment, the company will make the necessary changes and apply for a new archaeological certificate.

The archaeological discharge certificate must be obtained for every area in the footprint of the proposed mine, and serves as an acknowledgement that the company has successfully completed an archaeological review of historic mining activity on the site.

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