AMN - TANZANIA: Environment licence for Lindi Jumbo

Environmental approval has been granted to Walkabout Resources for the Lindi Jumbo Graphite Project in Tanzania. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate, issued in terms of Section 92(1) of the country’s Environmental Management Act No 20 of 2004, has been issued to the company.

The certificate is an important pre-requisite to the Mining Licence Application (MLA), which can be submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. Walkabout expects the Mining Licence to be granted during the third quarter of 2017.

Under Tanzanian mining regulations, a mining licence is designed for use in mines with initial capital of less than $100 million and the process for application is far less onerous and streamlined than that for a Special Mining Licence.

The issue of the EIA is an important milestone for the company, which has recently completed a definitive feasibility study and is in the process of securing funding for the Lindi Jumbo project.

Further to the MLA is the advanced stage of the Relocation Assistance Program (RAP), which outlines agreement between the local stakeholders that are affected by the mine and the company.

Walkabout’s Executive Chairman Trevor Benson said, “The awarding of the EIA is a major milestone in moving towards a mining licence and to attracting development funding. The project can now progress along its planned development pathway in parallel with ongoing negotiations with potential off take partners and securing development capital.”

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