Canadian midtier precious metals producer Fortuna Mining has received a notice of admissibility for its Diamba Sud gold project exploitation permit application from Senegal’s Ministry of Mines and Geology on November 2.

Fortuna started the application process in February.

Fortuna says the notice confirms that the Ministry has completed the review of the application documentation, and the file complies with all regulatory requirements, marking an important step toward the granting of the exploitation permit.

The company expects the government of Senegal’s internal approval process for the final exploitation permit to be completed during the fourth quarter of this year, with full-scale construction of the Diamba Sud mine remaining subject to receipt of this permit.

Fortuna says early works to support the project schedule include the appointment of African project management and engineering company SENET as engineering, procurement and construction management contractor, the completion of front-end engineering design, and 15% progress on detailed processing plant engineering.

Purchase orders have also been placed for critical long-lead equipment, including a semi-autogenous grinding mill, a primary crusher and carbon-in-leach tank plate work, while key construction packages have been awarded.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing of the power station’s heavy and light fuel oil generators is under way, with the light fuel oil units having completed factory acceptance testing and been shipped.

The company adds that the construction of the accommodation camp is progressing, with earthworks now 80% complete, civil works 40% complete and buried services nearing completion, alongside land compensation and clearing for major infrastructure footprints.

“Following our July final investment decision (FID) on the 30% plant expansion at our flagship Séguéla mine, and with Diamba Sud advancing through the final stages of permitting, we are progressing along a clear growth path.

“Together, these projects underpin our target of about 60% growth in yearly gold production to a yearly rate of 500 000 oz from mid-2028,” says Fortuna CEO and director Jorge A Ganoza.

The company anticipates making a formal FID upon receipt of the exploitation permit.