Savannah confirms final applications lodged for Oman mines
Resource development company Savannah Resources announced on Friday that it had lodged the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Mahab 4 copper mine development.
The AIM-traded firm said that completed the final permitting submission requirement for mining licence applications at both its Mahab 4 and Maqail South deposits, which were located in Block 5.
Savannah is a 65% shareholder in the Omani company Al Fairuz Mining, the holder of the Block 5 licence.
In its announcement, the company confirmed all regulatory applications for copper mine development at both Mahab 4 and Maqail South were now made, and final EIA applications had been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climatic Affairs, fulfilling final permitting requirements in the mining licence applications.
The Maqail South EIA was lodged on 28 March, and the Mahab 4 EIA was lodged on 4 May, with the company saying the EIA approval process was expected to take around three months assuming there were no delays or requests for additional information by the government.
It confirmed it was targeting open-pit mining at Maqail South and underground mining at Mahab 4.
Preparation of an economic study on copper mine development was continuing to progress well, the board reported, with work expected to be completed during July.
Additional metallurgical test work and the development of a detailed mine design and production plan for the two mines was also being undertaken.
“We have completed the fourth and final stage of the environmental application process with the lodging of our EIA permit applications,” said CEO David Archer.
“Accordingly, all regulatory applications for copper mine development at both Mahab 4 and Maqail South have now been submitted.”
While the company awaited the granting of its mining licences, Archer also reported that it remained “highly active” in order to ensure the timely delivery of the copper mines.
“This includes appointing IMO to undertake an economic study, auditing the resources at both deposit areas, conducting additional metallurgical test work including tailings thickening, and developing a detailed mine design and production plans.”
The company was are also assessing several processing plant turn-key solutions, Archer explained.
"This is undoubtedly set to be an exciting year for Savannah, which should see us transition from a development company, to a mining company and we are keen to lead the way and deliver the first new copper mine development that Oman will have seen for several years.”