HIGHLIGHTS
- Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study covers the area for Stage 1 and Stage 2 expansion projects at the flagship Bunyu Graphite project in Tanzania
- Key step forward for stage 1 production at Bunyu Graphite Project
Tanzanian-focused flake graphite development company Volt Resources Limited (ASX: VRC) (“Volt” or “the Company”) is pleased to advise that it has lodged its Environmental and Social Impact Statement (“ESIS”) with the National Environment Management Council (“NEMC”) for the Company’s flagship Bunyu Graphite Project in Tanzania. This follows a thorough Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA) study.
As previously advised (see ASX announcement dated 26 September 2017), the lodgement of the ESIS follows the completion of a significant body of work including flora and fauna surveys, heritage surveys, and stakeholder identification, including public consultation and the development of environmental and social monitoring and management plans.
The ESIA study covers the area required for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 expansion projects at Bunyu. The study forms a key component of Volt’s near-term development plans for Bunyu and following assessment and approval by NEMC, Volt will be issued with its Environmental Certificate for the project.
Furthermore, Volt is currently preparing its Mining Licence application (“MLA”) for submission with the Mining Commission following the recent publication of the new mining regulations in Tanzania. This process is progressing on-track and the submission of the MLA is the final key approval required for the commencement of Stage 1 development works at Bunyu.
Volt looks forward to updating shareholders shortly on the positive progress of the Exotix Capital US$40m bond issue and the Stage 1 Feasibility Study (FS) for the Bunyu Project.
Volt’s Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Matthews commented:
“Volt continues to make significant progress towards the proposed commencement of Stage 1 production at the Bunyu Project, and the submission of the ESIS is another notable step forward. “Our team remains focused on delivering a number of key near-term milestones including the submission of the MLA, the completion of the US$40m bond issue and the finalisation of the Stage 1 Feasibility Study for Bunyu– so we expect a steady flow of operational milestones to be executed over the coming months.
“We are focused on continually de-risking the development of the Bunyu project and together with the recent securing of an additional $4.7 million funding, Volt enters the year in a strong position to unlock the true potential of the Bunyu project.
“We look forward to keeping our shareholders informed on key corporate and operational developments during this busy period in Volt’s development.”
For and on behalf of Volt Resources Limited
Trevor Matthews
Chief Executive Officer
1 Refer to Volt’s ASX announcement titled “Pre-feasibility Study Completed” dated 15 December 2016. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in this document and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates continue to apply and have not materially changed.
FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY
For further information please contact:
Trevor Matthews – Chief Executive Officer
Tel: +61 8 9486 7788
Released through Sam Burns, Six Degrees Investor Relations, M: 0400 164 067