Arafura Uncommon Earth has obtained mining administration plan (Mmp ) approval from Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) Authorities for its Nolans neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) mission.
With the mining authorisation, Arafura has the precise to mine, assemble and function the Nolans mission, which contains a uncommon earths mine and processing operation close to Aileron, in Central Australia.
Underneath the MMP and the environmental administration plans, the agency outlines methods to fulfill the approval circumstances of the NT’s Atmosphere Safety Authority for the mine throughout key areas, together with biodiversity and water administration, amongst others.
Arafura mentioned in a press release: “This approval completes the ultimate stage of the NT environmental approval course of, leaving the sign-off of a small variety of the EMPs below the Federal EPBC Act and an NT water extraction licence excellent.”
Positioned 135km north of Alice Springs, NT, the mission has been awarded main mission standing by the NT authorities. It has the potential to supply round 10% of worldwide NdPr magnet feed demand.
Arafura managing director Gavin Lockyer mentioned: “This approval validates the large quantity of arduous work undertaken since ramping up the environmental impression research in 2014.
“It supplies the framework, together with our ESG dedication to transparency and openness, that may guarantee we minimise the impression of the Nolans Challenge on the distinctive Central Australian Arid Zone atmosphere.”
Arafura earlier signed a binding offtake settlement with Hyundai Motor Firm and Kia Company to provide NdPr from the Nolans Challenge for a interval of seven years.
