Discovery Metals Limited (DML) punched the air this week on government’s approval of Boseto Copper Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for its project that will increase its current planned capacity.
The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) listed mining outfit stated that the latest approval is for the increase in the capacity of the Boseto plant from 2 million metric tones per year to 3 million metric tones per year (or from 2mtpa-3mtpa) as contained in the Bankable Feasibility Study and the Boseto Development Plan announced in August 2010.
“The approval for this increased capacity is not only another milestone for Discovery Metals, but also reflects the thoroughness and efficiency of the government of Botswana and demonstrates the high standing of the country as a mining friendly jurisdiction, Brad Sampson, DML Managing Director said.
The first Boseto copper project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was approved by the Government of Botswana in June 2010, but it covered only the plant that could produce 2Mtpa.
“Botswana was recently rated as the 4th best mining friendly country in the world by the Canadian Fraser Institute,” he added.
Early this year the DML made the decision to expand the plant capacity from 2Mtpa to 3Mtpa.
The results of the 3Mtpa feasibility studies were announced in August 2010 and the construction phase has commenced in anticipation of copper and silver concentrate production in the first half of 2012.
As a result of the increase in plant capacity, the company has supplied the Department of Environmental Affairs with an addendum report highlighting the additional impacts of the change.
“The Department has formed the view that the addendum report adequately captures the aspects that will be affected by the capacity increase and authorises the company plans in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act,” the company added.
However, the company still requires Department of Mines’ approval for the mining license and discussions and exchange of information with the department is advanced.
Discovery Metals is an ASX/AIM/BSE listed copper exploration and development company focused on the emerging Kalahari Copperbelt in northwest Botswana.
It is currently developing its 100 percent owned Boseto copper project towards production in the first half of 2012.
The Kalahari Copperbelt sediment hosted mineralisation of the Boseto copper project is similar in style to the well known and large deposits of the Central African Copperbelt of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Discovery Metals has prospecting licences covering 9,656 km2 along the Kalahari Copperbelt.
