PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Mozambican Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development has given its blessing for the development of the Balama graphite project, ASX-listed Syrah Resources reported on Friday.
The company told shareholders that it had now received an environmental licence for the Balama project.
The environmental licence followed on from the grant of the water licence and a mining concession that was granted in December 2013, and which would last for a period of 25 years.
Syrah had meanwhile also received notification from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development that its land access licence was currently being reviewed.
“We have been working proactively with all stakeholders, including the Mozambique government, to achieve this significant milestone. The awarding of the environment licence is the culmination of two years of community consultation, base line studies and environmental impact assessments,” said Syrah MD Talga Kumova.
“The licence will ensure that the Balama graphite project will adhere to and be operated at the highest environmental standards.”
A definitive feasibility study on Balama was due shortly.
In February this year, Syrah signed a binding offtake agreement with China Aluminium International Engineering Corporation, which would see the Chinese firm purchase 80 000 t/y of graphite from the Balama project, at various size fractions.