Kore Potash secures 25-year ESIA certificates for Congo projects
Kore Potash, the Republic of Congo focused junior, has been issued its Certificates of Environmental Compliance for its flagship 97%-owned Sintoukola potash project.
The certificates were issued on 31 March 2020 by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Congo, each with a 25-year validity and relate to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for both the Dougou and Kola mining licences and relax the previous requirement for periodic compliance certificates.
Kola ESIA
The ESIA for the Kola mining licence was first approved by the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Congo on 10 October 2013 and required annual re-approval until construction of a mine on the licence commences.
The ESIA was subsequently re-approved in 2014 for 3 years until 10 October 2017.
During 2018 and 2019 the Kola ESIA was amended to include the full scope described in the definitive feasibility study for the project.
On 31 March 2020, the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Congo granted a 25-year approval of the ESIA, in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Convention formed between the government of the Republic of Congo and Kore Potash.
The approved Kola ESIA covers the planned mining and processing of the Kola sylvinite deposit, in line with the scope of the Kola definitive feasibility study including:
- Mine area
- Plant area
- High-voltage transmission line corridor
- Gas pipeline corridor
- Conveyor and service road corridor
Dougou ESIA certification
The ESIA for the Dougou mining licence was first approved by the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Congo on 13 July 2018. This ESIA approval was valid for one year and required annual re-approval until construction of a mine on the licence begins.
On 31 March 2020, the Minister of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Congo granted a 25-year approval of the ESIA, thus aligning with the provisions of the Mining Convention.
Approval of an ESIA is a prerequisite to beginning construction of a mining project in the Republic of Congo.
The ESIA approval currently covers the potential mining and processing of the Dougou carnallite deposit.
The company plans in the future to seek approval for amendments to this ESIA to include planned mining and processing of the DX sylvinite deposit which sits within the Dougou mining licence. The company also plans to utilise the high-voltage power line, gas pipeline and conveyor and service road corridors, approved in the Kola ESIA, as service corridors for the DX project.
Project development
Kore Potash anticipates completion of the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) on the DX project this quarter.
DX presents the quickest pathway to potash production and cash generation for the company and the larger Kola project is planned for development subsequent to first production from DX.
“As we progress the development of the DX project and move towards first potash production we will apply for amendments to the Dougou ESIA as part of the DX permitting process,” says Kore Potash CE Brad Sampson.
“We are particularly mindful of the government’s support during the difficult current global situation with COVID-19.”
