ASX-listed Ionic Rare Earths says Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) has approved the environmental- and social-impact assessment (ESIA) for the Makuutu rare earth project.
This positions Makuutu as Uganda’s next mining development, set to unlock social and economic benefit through mineral developments, posits Iconic.
The approval follows a nine-month assessment by Nema, culminating in two large public hearings with over 3 800 registered attendees.
Social benefits continue to accelerate across local communities in the Bugweri, Mayuge and Bugiri districts and include employment, support programmes and improved social services in one of the poorest parts of Uganda, Ionic says.
The approval of the ESIA is a fundamental requirement for the mining lease approval process and paves the way for development of the mine.
Makuutu is being developed by Rwenzori Rare Metals (RRM), a Ugandan private company which owns 100% of the project.
Ionic is a 51% owner of RRM, and will move to a 60% ownership on the completion of a feasibility study supporting the mining lease application expected to be submitted to the Ugandan government at the end of October.