Metallica gets green light to move forward with Urquhart sans EIS

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Australia's commonwealth Department of the Environment has determined that ASX-listed Metallica Minerals’ Urquhart bauxite project, in north Queensland, does not require an environmental-impact assessment (EIS), as the impact of the project is considered minimal.

“This major milestone confirms that the project remains on schedule for a low-capital start-up in the first half of 2017,” said Metallica CEO Simon Slesarewich, highlighting the department’s determination as “a major endorsement” of the company’s development plan and low-impact direct-shipping plans.

Metallica in April struck a deal with the operator of the nearby Hey Point bauxite mine to provide logistical services for its Cape York-based project, thereby negating the need to construct costly marine and barge loading infrastructure, which played a significant role in reducing the impact of the Urquhart project.

The miner explained that the project would be assessed by preliminary documentation, which required certain management plans to be developed and approved to mitigate its potential impacts.

This determination was a direct result of significant work and consultation undertaken by Metallica Minerals’ joint venture (JV) with China’s Ozore Resources, and the JV’s consultants, to deliver a sustainable development plan for the project.

The development plan, coupled with the infrastructure deal, resulted in the Department of the Environment not requiring an EIS from Metallica.

Metallica noted that the JV continued to work closely with the Queensland government and other stakeholders, including traditional owners, with the aim of receiving all the necessary approvals, so that the project could get under way in the first half of 2017.

The company said it remained confident that the state government would also confirm that the project would be assessed without the need for an EIS.