Danakali receives positive feedback from Colluli impact assessment reviews

11th July 2016 By: Samantha Herbst - Creamer Media Deputy Editor

Danakali receives positive feedback from Colluli impact assessment reviews

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Potash developer Danakali announced on Monday that the two-month public review period for the ASX-listed miner’s Eritrea-based Colluli potash project’s social and environmental impact assessment (SEIA) and associated management plans (SEMP) was now complete, with only positive feedback received on the content, quality and comprehensiveness of the assessment and management plans.

“This is a great outcome and reinforces the excellent work done to date to support the project development,” said Danakali MD Paul Donaldson, adding that the work was effectively made available to the international community for the two-month review period.

“We are also happy to have hosted a site visit in recent weeks from the relevant Eritrean ministries to support the mining licence application process,” said Donaldson.

Danakali noted that the public-review period for the SEIA and SEMP was consistent with the requirements of the Equator Principles, a framework adopted by financial institutions for determining, assessing and managing environmental and social risks in projects.

The company confirmed that no issues had been raised by the public review and feedback process.

With the Colluli project’s definitive feasibility study was completed in November 2015, indicating an ore reserve of 1.1-billion tonnes, Danakali was currently awaiting mining licence approvals for the project. Representatives from relevant government ministries assigned to the approvals process visited the site in June to assist with evaluation of the SEIA and SEMP.

Funding discussions were currently under way and the company had signed memorandums of understanding for 800 000 t of sulphate of potash a year.