5 October 2017
AURA ENERGY
LIMITED
(“Aura” or the “Company”)
TIRIS URANIUM
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL AND
SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) APPROVED BY KEY GOVERNMENT
MINISTRIES
STRONG GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT CONTINUES
Aura Energy Limited (AEE; ASX, AURA; AIM) is pleased to
advise that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”)
for the Tiris Uranium Project in Mauritania has been approved by the
Mauritanian Government.
The approval of this key element of the Tiris Project approvals
process follows the submission of the Mining Lease application for
the project in May this year and the subsequent comprehensive
process of Ministerial and Public consultations regarding the
impact of the development of Tiris project. This approval has been
finalised in line with the target schedule for the project.
Commenting on the approval of the
ESIA, Peter Reeve, Aura Energy’s
Executive Chairman said:
“For a uranium project one of the
most important steps in its path to development is the
environmental approval step. Achieving this milestone for Aura’s
Tiris Uranium Project on schedule and with the strong support of
the Mauritanian Government is another solid step forward for Aura
to production and cashflow. This step is pivotal as the main
project precursor to pursuing production offtake and project
financing arrangements.”
The ESIA, an exhaustive 1000-page document, and Mining Lease
application papers were subjected to extensive review by all
relevant authorities and key stakeholders, including a stipulated
Public Consultation Process before the grant of the Environmental
Approval. The Environmental Approval covers all mining and
processing activities, including the establishment of all the
required management plans for radiation management.
Key activities undertaken during the ESIA process, which was
managed by a multi-disciplinary group of specialist consultants,
included environmental baseline monitoring studies, flora and fauna
within and around the tenement area, ecosystem and habitat
sensitivity surveys, noise and air quality studies, water studies,
and extensive community engagement.
Additionally, the study focused on archaeological and cultural
heritage, population and migration patterns of Nomadic tribes in
the region. Consultation between the Mauritanian Environment
Ministry and International Radiation agencies also formed part of
this process.
Aura will be required to set up a radiation monitoring system
under the supervision and control of the National Radiation
Protection, Nuclear Safety and Security Authority (ARSN). It was
also recommended that a quarterly report be submitted on the state
of implementation of the environmental and social management
plan.
For further information please
contact:
Aura Energy
Limited
Peter Reeve (Executive Chairman and CEO) |
Telephone: +61
(3) 9516 6500
Email: info@auraenergy.com.au |
WH
Ireland Limited
Adrian Hadden
James Bavister |
Telephone: +44 (0)
207 220 1666 |
Yellow Jersey PR
Limited
Felicity Winkles
Joe Burgess |
Telephone:
+44 (0) 7769 325 254 |