Alkane Resources gets environmental approval for Dubbo Zirconia Project in NSW

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Image credit: http://www.alkane.com.au/

The Federal Government of Australia has granted mining and exploration company Alkane Resources environmental approval for the proposed mining of the Toongi deposit at its Dubbo Zirconia Project (DZP) in New South Wales.

Image credit: http://www.alkane.com.au/
Image credit: http://www.alkane.com.au/

The company still has to get a mining lease and secure project funding before it begins development, but getting the environmental approval is a major milestone.

“The federal Department of the Environment has assessed the mining project and its impact on the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard (PTWL), a threatened species within the provisions of the Act, and yesterday notified the Company of its approval of the development,” Alkane said in an ASX Announcement.

“This approval incorporates a schedule of conditions including a maximum limit of ground clearance of the defined extent of the PTWL habitat; submission of a mine site PTWL Management Plan; submission of a Biodiversity Offset Management Plan and securing of the lands identified as the Offset Area as a biodiversity offset by legal instrument. Compliance conditions also include requirements for reporting and publication on the Company’s website of the annual compliance report.”

Adertisement

The Dubbo Zirconia Project (DZP) is located 25 kilometres south of the large regional centre of Dubbo in the Central West Region of New South Wales.

According to the company, the mine is expected to process 1,000,000 tonnes of ore throughput per year over a period of 70 years or more.

The DZP will produce a strategic and alternative supply of zirconium (hafnium), niobium (tantalum), yttrium and rare earth elements to the global market.