South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has awarded a water-use license (WUL) for ASX-listed gold miner Theta Gold Mines’ Mining Right 83, which covers the majority of the initial TGME underground gold project mining schedule.
The WUL, valid for 12 years, forms an integral part of the TGME underground project, as it authorises the extension of the current tailings storage facility and all planned water use activities within the mining right area.
Following the granting of the WUL, Theta is in the final stage of discussions with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy concerning the environmental guarantee for the final life-of-mine rehabilitation.
Once these discussions are concluded, Theta expects the environmental-impact assessment approvals to follow.
Chairperson Bill Guy says the WUL is a key derisking event in South Africa. “The WUL addresses all aspects of proposed mining activities concerning surface and underground water.”
The WUL came after many months of “hard work” by Theta’s management team and contracted experts, together with many of its key stakeholders, with the company having addressed all concerns from interested and affected parties, he says.