Royal Road Minerals Limited (CVE:RYR) took another step on its gold development journey - with a new environmental licence for its La Golondrina property in Colombia and plans to start drilling this summer.
The Toronto-listed firm also updated on exploration activities.
An initial scout program of between 1,000 and 1,500 meters is planned. This will be the first drilling at the project with drilling expected to kick off by August of this year.
Meanwhile, the environmental licence allows for ongoing gold production at La Golondrina, which includes drill-testing and infrastructure and underground mine development.
However, before exploration drilling can begin, formal resolution of the work programme is to be issued and a drilling plan is to be filed with the necessary authority.
Earlier this month, the group struck a deal to buy the La Redención gold project, which lies just 450 metres from the boundary of La Golondrina.
It was with optioners Oliver Acosta Benavides, Euberto Ernesto Calderón and Jesús Yerobi Santander to acquire an undivided 100% of the project in the Nariño Province of southern Colombia.
And today the firm said surveying, saw-cut channel sampling and mapping of underground workings was now underway.
Chief executive Dr Tim Coughlin told investors: "The new EIA is a significant step-forward for La Golondrina.
"....for the immediate term, our focus is obviously on initial drill-testing of La Golondrina but, if successful, we look forward to working closely with the project owners and with Corponariño in developing an exemplary, world class gold project with due environmental concern and inclusive community initiatives ensuring sustainable, modern and low-impact exploration and gold mining.
"Desktop work on locating drill holes at La Golondrina is currently underway with final field confirmation planned for middle May.
"Access work is expected to take some four to six weeks and will commence as soon as drill pads are confirmed."