Haib exploration licence remains in limbo as court verdict postponed again

TSX-V-listed Deep-South Resources reports that the High Court of Namibia has postponed providing a verdict in the case to review the Namibian Mines and Energy Minister’s refusal to not renew the exploration and prospecting licence (EPL) for Deep-South’s Haib copper project.

Deep-South wants to renew the EPL but was informed in June 2021 that the company's application for the renewal of EPL 3140 was refused.

Release of the verdict has been postponed to March 15.

Deep-South president and CEO Pierre Leveille says that, with the recent events at the Ministry of Mines, the decision of the judge to postpone the verdict a second time is an important sign that the court takes this case “very seriously”.

At the time of the EPL’s suspension, Deep-South was told its EPL had been denied as a result of the company’s inability to advance the EPL to prefeasibility stage and complete the proposed drilling programme as planned.

“[Deep-South] maintains that the Ministry was kept well apprised, with no objection on their part, of a proposed change from the prefeasibility study to [an] upgraded preliminary economic assessment and commencement of a full feasibility study.

“Moreover, the Ministry issued all permits required for the drilling programme and is well aware that Deep-South has completed the drilling programme,” Deep-South states.