ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths has achieved progress in securing land access agreements for the mining licence application (MLA) for the Stage 1 development of the Makuutu rare earths project over retention licence 1693 (application TN03834), through local Ugandan operating entity Rwenzori Rare Metals (RRM).
The Ugandan government approved RRM’s proposed process to secure land access agreements on September 15.
Land access agreements have now been secured for 92% of the MLA, comprising the Bugweri district (94% completed), the Bugiri district (84% completed) and the Mayuge district (90% completed).
Progress across all three districts is continuing rapidly and the company expects to secure agreements covering close to 100% of the 44 km2 MLA area in the next ten days.
Formal issuance of the mining licence can occur once land access has been verified by Uganda’s Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM).
DGSM representatives will begin field-based activities in the communities to verify land access this week.
Ionic says it is not aware of any other requirements prior to the award of the Stage 1 mining licence over TN03834.