Element 25 Hits Fresh 52-Week High on ASX, Lodges Key Permitting Applications For Butcherbird Project

Summary

• Developing the world-class Butcherbird Manganese Project, Element 25 has lodged key permitting applications to relevant government departments to start the approvals process.
• As the Company aims to become a globally significant manganese producer, manganese concentrate export operation is advancing on time and on the budget at its Butcherbird Project.
• To date, mining lease has been granted, access agreements have been finalised, a processing water source is confirmed, and long lead-time items have been ordered.
• Butcherbird Project development timeline targets first production in Q1 2021.

The share price of manganese explorer Element 25 Limited (ASX:E25) on 31 August 2020 was $ 0.59, as the Company’s stock opened the week by hitting a fresh 52-week high. The stock marked a significant uptick of 5.357 per cent, with over 300 k shares traded. Besides, YTD returns noted at a whopping 229.41 per cent (as on 28 August 2020).

GOOD READ: Element 25: Stock Spiraling, Butcherbird Project Advancing, First Production Targeted For Q121

The positive investor sentiment evident on the ASX may have been possibly propelled by Element 25’s latest news for the market.

Accelerating the manganese concentrate export operation at its 100 per cent owned Butcherbird Manganese Project, Element 25 has lodged a number of permitting applications with relevant government departments. While this key milestone may ramp up the approvals process, it also demonstrates that the export operation is advancing on time and budget.

Butcherbird’s Permitting Applications Submitted To Government Departments

Lodgement of key permitting applications is an indication of the commencement of the approvals process for the Project. The applications submitted to the relevant government departments include-

Kalkine Image (Source: Element 25’s ASX Update, 31 August 2020)

Native Vegetation Clearing Permit

The clearing provisions of the Environmental Protection Act necessitate clearing of native vegetation to be authorised by a clearing permit. The clearing permit will facilitate removal of vegetation in the key work areas like the open pit, the process plant, and the tails storage facility footprints.

Water Abstraction Licence

DWER is Western Australia’s water resource management agency. It is responsible for evaluation and decision making for licences and permits to extract water for the processing plant operations. Element 25 has lodged this application which is supported by detailed hydrogeological modelling of the proposed aquifer (recently defined in test bore pump test programme)

MUST READ: Element 25 Riding High Post Affirmation of Sufficient Process Water Supply at Butcherbird

Works Approval

Prior to construction, installation, alteration or operation at a plant, a mining company is required to obtain a works approval and licence from the DWER. This is in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

Mining Proposal/Mine Closure Plan

Approval of Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan is deemed to be a pre-requisite to the initiation of operations. The Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan consider the environmental facets of the mining operation along with the rehabilitation activities at the end of mining.

Project Management Plan

Commencement of mining operations is not permitted until a project management plan (PMP) has been duly approved under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 (WA) (MSI Act). The PMP specifies the approach to handling hazards related to the construction and operation of the proposed mine site.

Great Northern Highway Access

Apart from the above key applications lodged with the relevant Government departments, Element 25 has been awarded a road access permit. Main Roads Western Australia has finally given approval for the proposed design of the access road, intersecting the Great Northern Highway a green signal.

With works at the Butcherbird Project well advanced, Element 25 seems to be on the right trajectory to transition from an explorer to a miner and produce clean, low cost, ethical manganese products for world markets.

GOOD READ: Element 25 Reports “Excellent Progress” in June Quarter, Stock Riding High