South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) has appointed ERM Consultants to fulfill two permitting tasks for the 100%-owned Ohmgebirge development in Thuringia, Germany.
ERM, a leading global provider of environmental, health, safety, risk, social consulting and sustainability-related services, will act as environmental impact assessment (EIA) consultant and spatial planning permitting consultant on the project.
Environmental permitting process
The EIA is a key part of the permitting process for the Ohmgebirge mine and potash plant and integral to the feasibility study.
EIA baseline studies are set to kick off immediately.
As a first step, the spatial planning procedure is essential to securing approval and general permission for the design of surface infrastructure, which paves the way for the subsequent approval procedure of the main operating plan.
The current Thuringian regional plan already declares potash mining in the Ohmgebirge region to be a generally reserved priority.
Knowledge-sector specialisation
ERM employs in excess of 7,000 people in more than 38 countries and territories working out of 134 offices.
It established its German Frankfurt office in 1989 and now employs more than 230 people in Germany alone, with deep knowledge-sector specialisation in chemical, pharmaceutical, power, manufacturing, mining and finance.
South Harz managing director Luis da Silva said: “We are pleased to be working with ERM and to have such an experienced team partnering with the company for this significant work.
“The German-speaking team at ERM's Frankfurt office will be able to liaise directly with the authorities and will support our regional director Dr Babette Winter in navigating the permitting process for our flagship Ohmgebirge development.”