Photo by: Duane Daws
TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – US-based platinum group metals (PGMs) producer Stillwater Mining on Friday said that it had suspended the permitting process for its Marathon PGM and copper deposit, in Ontario.
The Billings, Montana-headquartered company said the project team had identified several areas for further evaluation of operational and processing approaches and optimisation options, which could result in material changes to the project.
Stillwater, together with its partner Mitsubishi Corp, had asked that the joint review panel suspend the Marathon project environmental assessment and panel hearings until further notice.
The panel hearings were scheduled to start on February 20.
The joint review panel is responsible for the evaluation of the environmental impact statement and comprised the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
"The Marathon project fits within the company's strategy of focusing on PGM assets in mining-friendly jurisdictions. However, resuming the permitting process will depend on the results of the completed technical review and the degree of any potential scope changes,” president and CEO Mick McMullen said.
Stillwater is the only US producer of PGMs and the largest primary producer of PGMs outside of South Africa and the Russian Federation.