PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended that ASX-listed Pacifico Minerals be given a further five years to start development at its Sorby Hills lead/silver/zinc project.
The EPA has recommended that Pacifico be granted leave until April 2024, to develop the project, after the company requested an extension to the time limit of authorisation, which would have required the company to start development of Sorby Hills before April 2 this year.
“The Sorby Hills proposal was subject to long and rigorous assessment prior to the EPA board’s positive decision in 2013. The recommendation for the EPA to extend the time limit for proposal implementation for a further five years clears the way for the Sorby Hills joint venture to fast-track production in accordance with best practice environmental management,” said Pacifico MD Simon Noon.
The one-million-tonne-a-year Sorby Hills operation would have an initial eight-year mine life, based on the current indicated resource, and would require a capital investment of A$95.4-million.
The project could produce some 249 000 t of lead and 9.35-million ounces of silver a year.