JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Aim- and TSX-listed Horizonte Minerals has completed and filed a mine construction licence application for its Brazil-based Araguaia nickel project, marking a major milestone for the project as it moves towards a decision on construction, said CEO Jeremy Martin in a statement released Thursday.
“The work required to collect the data and develop the suite of documents that make up the [construction licence] has been finalised as part of Araguaia's ongoing feasibility study, which is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2018,” he added.
The licence application was submitted to Semas, the Pará state authority responsible for environmental licensing, for the construction of the project, which includes the mine, associated infrastructure and a pyrometallurgical processing plant.
Martin noted that the Araguaia project had the potential to create 500 new jobs in the operational phase in a rural area where the average family income ranges between $2 and $4 a day.
“As a result, the Pará government considers Araguaia to be a key economic driver for the southern part of the state. Additionally, we continue to receive positive community support for the project, as evidenced through our ongoing community engagement programmes,” he added.
Brazil-focused Horizonte has identified Araguaia as Brazil’s next major nickel mine, with targeted production by 2020.