PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Junior Globe Metals & Mining is seeking clarification from the Malawi Ministry of Mines over the grant of a mining licence for its proposed Kanyika niobium project.
The ASX-listed company on Tuesday noted that under the Mines Act, the project’s mining licence was due to be awarded on July 19, however, as of yet no licence had been forthcoming.
The company told shareholders that it was unaware of any reason for the delay in the grant of the mining licence, and had now requested a formal meeting with the Minister of Mines to seek clarification on matters pertaining to the application of procedures in the Mines Act.
“The President of Malawi has been very clear in his desire to see the Malawi mining industry become a major pillar of industrial development in Malawi, and a key contributor in terms of employment, training and revenue,” said Globe MD Alistair Stephens.
“Grant of the Kenyika mining licence is important to Globe and its stakeholders, but equally so for the Malawi government and the people of Malawi. Further delay in grant of the Kanyika mining licence would be disappointing on many fronts.”
The mining and processing operations at Kenyika will require a capital investment of some $150-million, while the current estimate at the refinery has been placed at between $30-million to $50-million, depending on the ultimate location of the refinery.
The mining operation is expected to produce 1.5-million tonnes of ore a year to feed to the process plant, with the project expected to produce some 3 250 t/y of niobium products and 120 t/y of tantalum products.